HC issues notices over violations in J&K sports bodies
Jammu, KNT : The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notices to top government officials and sports bodies in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging large-scale violations of the National Sports Development Code, 2011, in J&K sports associations, including the Badminton Association of J&K.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, while hearing the PIL through virtual mode, sought responses from the Chief Secretary J&K, Commissioner/Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Secretary J&K Sports Council, the Badminton Association of India, and the J&K Badminton Association. Senior AAG S.S. Nanda, Government Advocate Eishaan Dadhichi, and Advocate Anshuja Tak accepted the notices on behalf of government respondents.
The petition, filed by three former state and national badminton players – Bakhtawar Singh, Romesh Kumar Sharma, and Rishi Khurana – claims that certain office bearers, despite being ineligible under the Sports Code, continue to control sports associations in J&K for personal gains.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed, appearing for the petitioners, pointed out serious irregularities in the 2022 elections of the J&K Badminton Association, including absence of records on age, tenure, NOCs, and political affiliations. He noted that several elected officials were above 70 years of age or linked to political parties, in direct violation of the code. Among them is President Chander Parkash Sharma, a sitting MLA from Vijaypur, besides other senior office bearers.
The court, after hearing the submissions, issued notices and granted time to respondents to file their replies before the next hearing scheduled on November 10, 2025. [KNT]
