RAJASTHAN EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 20th November, 2024 Pronounced on: 07th January, 2025 + W.P.(C) 5989/2022 RAJASTHAN EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate with Mr. Ashish Kothari, Mr. Devang Gautam, Mr. Balasubramanian R. and Ms. Neha Singh, Advocates. Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar and Mr. Majjari Umesh, Advocates. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Varun Pratap, Advocates for EFI. Ms. Arti Bansal and Mr. Kamal R. Digpaul, Advocate for UOI. Mr. Jayant Mehta, Senior Advocate with Mr. Kirtiman Singh, Ms. Manmeet Kaur, Ms. Diva Saigal, Mr. Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev Khatana, Mr. Maulik Khurana, Advocates for EFI. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA JUDGMENT SANJEEV NARULA, J.: 1. The present writ petition is part of a series of litigation initiated by State Associations regarding the functioning of Respondent No. 2 – Equestrian Federation of India (“EFI”), the National Sports Federation (“NSF”) for the discipline of Equestrian sports in the country. Through the present writ petition, the State Equestrian Association of Rajasthan (the Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(C) 5989/2022 Page 1 of 40 By:NITIN KAIN Signing Date:07.01.2025 20:43:35 Petitioner), lays challenge to the notification dated 01st February, 20211 issued by Respondent No. 1 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India (“MYAS”), whereby a ‘Relaxation Clause’ has been added as Clause No. 16 of the National Sports Development Code, 2011 (“Sports Code”); as well as the order dated 09th November, 20212 issued by them in exercise of powers under the said Relaxation Clause, granting Respondent No. 2 - EFI certain exemptions/relaxation of applicability of specific provisions of the Sports Code, 2011. The Co