Delhi HC directs AITA to amend Constitution in line with Sports Governance Act, orders fresh elections by 30 September 2026

Delhi High Court: In intra-court appeals concerning the governance of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the conduct of its 2024—2028 Executive Committee elections, a Division Bench of Tejas Karia* and Madhu Jain, JJ., without entering upon the merits of the rival contentions, recorded the consensus arrived at between the parties for expeditious alignment of the AITA Constitution/Bye-Laws with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026. Taking note of the timelines prescribed under the new statutory regime and the communications issued by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Court held that it was expedient and in the interest of justice that the amendment process be completed at the earliest.

The Court accordingly issued a series of interim directions governing the amendment of the AITA Constitution/Bye-Laws, convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting, participation of affiliated State Associations, and conduct of fresh elections to the Executive Committee in accordance with the amended constitutional framework by 30 September 2026.

Background

The dispute arose from the conduct of the elections to the Executive Committee of the AITA for the 2024—2028 term, against the backdrop of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, which was introduced by the Union of India to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in National Sports Federations. Alleging that the proposed elections were being conducted in violation of the Sports Code and the Delhi High Court’s decision in Rahul Mehra v. Union of India¹, former tennis players Somdev Kishore Devvarman and Purav Mukul Raja instituted a writ petition seeking judicial intervention to ensure compliance with the governing framework. By an interim order dated 24 September 2024, the Delhi High Court directed that the results of the elections be kept in a sealed cover, making them subject to the outcome of the writ proceedings.

Subsequently, the elections were held during the AITA’s Annual General Meeting on 28 September 2024, and the results were placed before the Court in a sealed cover. Since the results were not declared, the outgoing Executive Committee continued to manage the affairs of the AITA. During the pendency of the proceedings, the AITA as well as certain affiliated State Associations moved applications seeking opening of the sealed cover, declaration of the election results, and permission for the newly elected body to function on an interim basis while undertaking compliance with the Sports Code. Meanwhile, the Executive Committee appointed an Interim Secretary and resolved to adhere to the applicable legal framework, including the forthcoming National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The learned Single Judge, by the impugned judgment, directed the opening of the sealed cover and declaration of the election results, while simultaneously mandating that fresh elections be conducted in accordance with the amended AITA Bye-laws and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, along with the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026. The Court further constituted an interim Executive Committee comprising the elected members and appointed an Administrator to amend the AITA Constitution in conformity with the new statutory regime and supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Association, leading to the present intra-court appeals.

Analysis

The Division Bench observed that the present appeals raise substantial questions of law requiring consideration. However, having regard to the letter dated 18 May 2026 issued by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), clarifying that the Constitution/Bye-Laws of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) must be amended in conformity with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 before 30 June 2026, as well as the Ministry’s communication dated 17 June 2026 directing all National Sports Federations to align their Constitutions, institutional processes and operations with the statutory framework within the prescribed timelines, the Court considered it expedient and in the interest of justice that the amendment process be undertaken expeditiously.

The Court noted that the learned Administrator had already circulated draft amendments to the AITA Constitution/Bye-Laws for comments from stakeholders. Without entering upon the merits of the rival contentions, the Court invited the parties to explore an amicable and workable arrangement. Recording the consensus between the parties, the Court noted that the AITA agreed, without prejudice to its rights and contentions, to hold fresh elections after amendment of its Constitution/Bye-Laws in conformity with the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules, while the writ petitioners also agreed that the Interim Executive Committee’s objections and suggestions be considered by the learned Administrator through a reasoned decision after granting an opportunity of hearing.

Decision

Accordingly, without adjudicating upon the merits of the appeals, the Court disposed of the matter by issuing the following interim directions:

1. The Interim Executive Committee shall examine the draft amendments proposed by the learned Administrator and submit its suggestions, comments, objections, modifications, additions or deletions, with brief reasons, on or before 25 June 2026.

2. Upon receipt of the suggestions, the learned Administrator shall examine the same, afford an opportunity of hearing to the Interim Executive Committee, and finalise the proposed amendments to the Constitution/Bye-Laws on or before 15 July 2026.

3. The learned Administrator shall prepare a consolidated draft incorporating all suggestions received. Where any suggestion is not accepted, the reasons for disagreement shall be specifically recorded in the draft to be placed before the General Body.

4. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the AITA shall be convened on or before 31 July 2026, on a date determined by the learned Administrator, for consideration of the proposed amendments. The General Body shall deliberate upon and vote on each proposed amendment clause by clause, and the decision on every amendment, together with reasons for its acceptance, rejection or modification, shall be duly recorded in the minutes.

5. Having regard to the urgency of the matter and the timelines prescribed under the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules, the minimum notice period prescribed under the existing Constitution/Bye-Laws of the AITA for convening the Extraordinary General Meeting was dispensed with.

6. The Court clarified that all affiliated State Tennis Associations shall be permitted to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and in the elections to the Executive Committee irrespective of whether they are compliant with the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules at the time of voting.

7. Upon completion of the amendment process, elections to the Executive Committee of the AITA shall be conducted in accordance with the amended Constitution/Bye-Laws, the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules on or before 30 September 2026.

Also Read: Delhi HC AITA Elections Case | SCC Times

[All India Tennis Assn. v. Somdev Kishore Devvarman, LPA 422 of 2026, decided on 18-6-2026]

*Judgement Authored by: Justice Tejas Karia

Advocates who appeared in this case:

For the Appellant: Avi Singh, Senior Advocate with Akshit Pradhan, Parth Goswami, Tanvi Anand and Divyansh Agrawal, Advocates

For the Respondents: Gautam Narayan, Senior Advocate with Asmita Singh, Trisha Chandran & Tushar Srivastava, Advocates, Nidhi Raman, CGSC with Akash Mishra & Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, GP.