New Delhi, May 11 The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside the suspension of Kamlesh Mehta from the post of secretary general of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, however, appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Murari as the 'Enquiry Authority' to look into the conduct and functioning of the TTFI and its office bearers, stating that the functioning of the national sports federation, as well as the nature and content of the allegations made against two of its highest office bearers, justified such an action.
The judge stated that the court "cannot shut its eyes" to the allegations, in the face of "prima facie two factions within the federation, each fighting for control, power, and influence, with sports, sports-persons, and the nation taking the backseat".
"While the Impugned Order (of suspension) has been set aside owing to non-compliance with the principles of natural justice, the seriousness of the allegations against the petitioner, as also those made against the president, cannot be ignored.
"The court deems it appropriate to appoint Hon'ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Krishna Murari, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Enquiry Authority to inquire into the conduct and functioning of TTFI, including but not limited to the office bearers of the said federation," the court said in the judgement.
Mehta was suspended as TTFI secretary general during the federation's annual general meeting (AGM) on January 28, and he subsequently moved the high court.
The TTFI had earlier said the decision to suspend Mehta followed an "exhaustive and record-based review" of serious procedural breaches, governance failures, and financial irregularities, and was not linked to internal politics.
The sports body has also accused Mehta of unilaterally convening a Special General Meeting (SGM) on January 17, despite a duly notified AGM scheduled for January 28, and permitting constitutionally impermissible business to be transacted.
Mehta, on the other hand, questioned in court several decisions taken by the TTFI president, including the appointment of a CEO.
In his petition, Mehta said the order of suspension was passed in blatant contravention of the TTFI's Memorandum of Association, principles of natural justice, and his right to fair procedure and reputation under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India.
The entire process, the plea claimed, was marred by arbitrariness, mala fides, and absence of due process.
It added that the final decision on expulsion has now been placed before the ad-hoc committee comprising the same members who had passed the initial suspension order.
