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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BFI polls: RO rejects Rajesh Bhandari's candidature for presidency
New Delhi: In a major fillip to Ajay Singh's bid for a third term as Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president, the Returning Officer Justice (retd) Rajesh Tandon on Thursday rejected the candidature of Rajesh Bhandari for 'violating the provision of the Model Election Guidelines.' Representational image of boxing gloves. (HT) Bhandari had filed his nomination for the posts of secretary-general, vice-president and president which was objected to by Narender Kumar Nirwan. Vice-president of the north-west zone in the earlier BFI dispensation, Nirwan is once again running for the post of VP. The model election guidelines of the 2011 code, Nirwan contended, allowed only two nominations by a candidate. Bhandari argued that the fact that elections will be held as per the 2011 sports code was not notified and therefore his candidature should stand. The RO, however, didn't see merit in Bhandari's defence and found his nomination in violation of Article 6(3) of Model Election Guidelines of the Sports Code that states 'each candidate shall be entitled to be nominated by not more than two nomination papers.' The RO noted that the election notification issued by the Interim Committee had stated that the polls will be held in accordance with the new BFI constitution that's been approved by World Boxing. 'Article 31(6) of BFI Constitution categorically states that election procedure shall be in accordance with the Model Election Guidelines of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011,' Justice Tandon said. Bhandari's nomination for presidency was the 'last in point of time to be received' and hence the same was rejected while his other two nominations stand valid. The development means BFI presidency will be a contest between Ajay Singh and Sikkim unit's Jaslal Pradhan. Further, the RO rejected Bhandari and Delhi Amateur Boxing Association's (DABA) objection to Ajay Singh's nomination. Citing a 2022 judgment in the case of Rahul Mehra vs Union of India and Others, Bhandari had argued that Singh ought to go into a mandatory cooling off period. The RO, however, went by Article 31(6) of BFI Constitution and rejected Bhandari and DABA's objection. The nomination of Kerala unit's Sooraj NK for the post of Treasurer was also rejected for the same reason as Bhandari's. His bid for the posts of secretary general and vice-president, however, stand.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC seeks response of Centre, BFI on RO issue
New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought the response of the Centre and Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on a plea filed by Delhi Amateur Boxing Association (DABA) for appointment of an independent returning officer (RO) to oversee and conduct the elections of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), facing controversy over management and transparency issues. The plea was necessitated after former Delhi high court judge, justice (retd) RK Gauba stepped down as the RO on April 14, attributing his decision to an unhealthy and uncalled for 'smear campaign' allegedly orchestrated by different factions within the federation. Gauba was appointed by BFI's former president Ajay Singh on March 7. In its application argued by senior advocate Abhijat Bal, along with advocates Vidushpat Singhania and Prateek Chadha, DABA argued that there was a need for appointment of an 'independent returning officer', since the erstwhile RO was appointed by Singh, who was himself contesting for the post of President in the forthcoming elections. Though the current term of the BFI's executive committee ended on February 2, no new elections for the office-bearers for the 2025-29 have been held so far. The elections were initially scheduled for March 28, but due to the failure to conduct elections, the federation is currently being managed by a six-member interim committee. This committee was formulated by World Boxing on April 7 and is chaired by Singh. A bench of justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to BFI, and Union sports ministry and posted the matter for hearing on August 18. BFI was represented by senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, while the union sports ministry was represented by standing counsel Premtosh Kumar Mishra. DABA suggested that the appointment of an independent RO was imperative to uphold the objectives of the Sports Code, ensure conducting and carry forwarding the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner. 'The current state of governance within the BFI, marked by non-compliance with the Sports Code and procedural lapses, underscores the pressing need for oversight to ensure transparency, accountability and uninterrupted progression of the sports,' the petition stated. The application was filed by DABA in its petition challenging BFI's March 7 circular allowing elected members of the state units to participate in the elections. On March 19, justice Mini Pushkarna had allowed DABA to participate in BFI's upcoming elections by staying BFI's March 7 circular till August 18. However, BFI had appealed against the order before the division bench, which is currently pending.
