Delhi HC Appoints Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, Former SC Judge, As Administrator To Oversee Funds Utilization In Shooting World Cup 2023

The Delhi High Court has appointed Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, former Judge of Supreme Court, as an Administrator to oversee the utilization of funds in the shooting World Cup event to be held in India in March 2023.

The bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that the prestige of the country will be affected if there is any impediment in organizing the World Cup event which would require funding from the Centre.

Therefore the Court directed thus “…Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, Former Judge Supreme Court of India, is appointed as an Administrator to oversee the utilization of funds in the World Cup event that is being held in India in March, 2023. The Administrator can also take the assistance of any sportsperson of his choice, who has been a national or international shooter, to assist him in the matter.”

The Court further added that the Administrator shall be free to fix his remuneration commensurate to the work and the same will be paid by the Union of India.

The Court also said that the funds released must get the concurrence of the Administrator.

The Court was dealing with a petition challenging various decisions taken by the Union of India according recognition to various National Sports Federations.

The Petitioner prayed to direct the Union of India to grant recognition to the entities only after considering the material demonstrating that the National Sports Federations are in compliance with the Sports Code.

Last year a Division Bench of the High Court had directed that no more monies will be expanded by the Union of India nor any assistance will be extended to any National Sports Federations.

The Union of India was directed to ensure that monies, patronage and other facilities to the National Sports Federations will be resumed only when the National Sports Federations comply Sports Code.

The National Rifle Association of India moved the instant application for vacation/modification of the aforesaid Order stating that the said Order affected the smooth functioning of the National Sports Federations.

However Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra objected to this application stating that the Applicant ought not to have come to this Court with the present application at the last minute.

He further stated that granting any latitude to the Applicant would result in further applications being filed before this Court by other Sport Federations which are in complete violation of the Sports Code.

He gave an ad hoc solution stating that a committee comprising of a retired Judge of the High Court and Abhinav Bindra must be constituted to oversee the World Cup event in March, 2023.

“The suggestion made by Mr. Mehra for constitution of a Committee to oversee the utilisation of funds which are proposed to be released by the Union of India is a fair solution.”, the Court noted.

Thus the Court appointed Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri.

“Let a report be furnished in a sealed cover before this Court after the conclusion of the event.”, the Court directed.

Cause Title- Rahul Mehra v. Union of India

Click here to read/download Order