The Equestrian Federation of India landed up with more egg on face as the Delhi High Court last week rejected a counter-affidavit filed by them against observer SY Quraishi.
In February, , Quraishi, the court-appointed observer, had lambasted the EFI when he had filed a very hard hitting report against the federation’s functioning. The EFI, which has been flouting several provisions of the National Sports Code for years, had been pulled by Quraishi, the former /Chief Election Commissioner, who was also former secretary, Sports Ministry.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Quraishi’s counsel, RA Iyer, mentioned to the Delhi High Court the counter-affidavit filed by EFI was quite damaging in content.
Justice Prathiba M Singh told the EFI counsel that she would not accept the counter-affidavit. The EFI counsel will now have to file a fresh counter-affidavit.
“In view of the contents of the said counter affidavit which has been pointed out to the court by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Observer, Viraj R. Datar, learned counsel appearing for Respondent No.1 (EFI), fairly agrees to withdraw the said counter affidavit and file appropriate objections to the observer’s report on behalf of his client,” said the court order.
“The annexures to the said counter affidavit shall, however, remain on record for the sake of reference. Accordingly, the counter affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent No. 1 is rejected and the same be taken out of the record. A fresh counter affidavit be filed by Respondent No.1 within 2 weeks,” the order said.
For long, the EFI has been shamelessly clinging on to power, without making suitable amendments in their constitution. They have been given numerous chances by the Sports Ministry but still remain content hanging on to power. What is also interesting is very recently the EFI held its EC meeting and no mention was made about making changes in their constitution.
The EFI counsel claimed that the Sports Ministry had given them time till November 2021 to implement the Sports Code. Rajasthan Equestrian Association counsel Rajiv Dutta argued that the EFI was buying time. It is well known elections have to be held only after making changes in the EFI constitution.
Just to jog the readers’ memory, in his report to the court, Quraishi had slammed the EFI for running affairs of the sport in a chaotic manner. From team selection to administration, there have been several gaffes, which have been highlighted by riders and also the media.