Synopsis

The petitioners, various State‑level Taekwondo associations, sought removal of Respondent No. 3 (Mr. Namdev Sampat Shirgaonkar) from the post of Chairman of the Ad‑hoc Committee and President of India Taekwondo (IT), and his permanent debarment from sporting activities. They also sought an independent inquiry into IT’s accounts. The dispute arose from the derecognition of the Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) as the National Sports Federation (NSF) in 2015, the subsequent formation of an Ad‑hoc Committee by the IOA, and the incorporation of IT in 2019. Despite the IOA’s Ethics Commission finding Respondent No. 3 guilty of violating IOA Ethics Rules in February 2022 and recommending his removal, the IOA failed to take any action. The Union of India declined NSF recognition to both TFI and IT in February 2026, creating a governance vacuum. The High Court directed the Union to constitute an Ad‑hoc Committee within fifteen days to carry out the functions of an NSF until a suitable organisation is recognised, and to consider the Ethics Commission’s report while deciding any representation by IT for NSF recognition.

Citation: 2026:DHC:4104
Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi
Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav (Single Judge)
Date of Decision: April 27, 2026
Nature of Judgment: Writ Petition (Civil) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking directions to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Union of India regarding governance of Taekwondo sport in India.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

• Case Title: Odisha Taekwondo Association and Others vs. Union of India and Others

• Writ Petition (Civil) No.: 3528 of 2022

• Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav (Single Judge)

• Date of Decision: April 27, 2026

• Citation: 2026:DHC:4104

• Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi

• Nature of Petition: Public interest writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

2. Legal Framework

Laws and Provisions Involved

• Constitution of India, 1950: Article 226 (writ jurisdiction of High Courts)

• National Sports Development Code, 2011 (Sports Code) – governing recognition of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and their governance.

• Rules and Regulations of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) – particularly the IOA Ethics Rules.

• Judicial precedents on sports governance and NSFs.

Related Precedents Cited

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