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Case Overview

Case Name: All India Football Federation v. Rahul Mehra and Ors. – SLP(C) Nos. 30748-30749 of 2017

The Supreme Court bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi delivered judgment in the plea filed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) against the Delhi High Court’s 2017 order that annulled AIFF elections . The Court reviewed the draft AIFF Constitution which incorporated suggestions from stakeholders including FIFA, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian Olympic Association, State Associations, activist Rahul Mehra and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

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Key Aspects

The Court considered the following issues before finalising the constitution :

• Delhi High Court quashed AIFF elections for violating the National Sports Code .

• Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi appointed as Administrator; later a Committee of Administrators was set up .

• Justice L. Nageswara Rao examined draft constitution and stakeholder inputs .

• Disputes between AIFF and FSDL on the Indian Super League delayed progress .

• The new National Sports Governance Act 2025 created additional compliance requirements .

Legal Insights

The Court balanced statutory requirements and sporting autonomy by relying on :

• National Sports Code – mandating fair governance in sports bodies.

• National Sports Governance Act 2025 – new framework for sports associations.

• Judicial precedents upholding transparency and autonomy in national federations .

• Court directives ensuring transparent tenders for Indian Super League commercial partners .

Court’s Verdict

The Supreme Court approved the draft AIFF Constitution with modifications and directed adoption within four weeks . It recognised the tenure of current AIFF office-bearers and emphasised that sports nurture fraternity, unity and national purpose. The Court expressed hope that the institutional reforms would strengthen Indian football and ensure fair governance .

Source – Supreme Court of India 

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