PIL seeking implementation of Sports Code, 2011 in J&K
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (WP (C) PIL No.07/2025) filed by three Former Badminton Players of Jammu namely Bakhtawar Singh, Romesh Kumar Sharma and Rishi Khurana seeking implementation of National Development Sports Code of India, 2011 as well as Guidelines of J&K Sports Council in various Sports Associations across J&K including Badminton Association of J&K, has taken a new turn, as Badminton Association of J&K in its reply has informed the Division Bench of High Court of J&K and Ladakh that pursuant to the filing of the instant PIL and upon receipt of the notices from the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, the Badminton Association of J&K took immediate steps to review its compliance with the Sports Code, 2011 and the Guidelines of J&K Sports Council and accordingly Chander Prakash Sharma (Ganga) (Aged above 70 years)-Former Minister/ Sitting MLA from Vijaypur, President of Badminton Association of J&K and B.S. Jamwal (Aged above 70 years) General Secretary, Badminton Association of J&K voluntarily tendered their resignations in light of their crossing the age limit prescribed under the Sports Code, 2011 and their resignations were duly accepted by the Executive Committee of the Badminton Association of J&K in its meeting held on November 9th, 2025.
The Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal on December 15, 2025 had expressed their anguish/displeasure over the non-filing of response by the Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. of J&K, Youth Services & Sports, Badminton Association of India and Badminton Association of J&K and had granted last opportunity to submit response to the PIL failing which the Division Bench had observed that appropriate orders shall follow.
In the PIL, the three former State Badminton Players have highlighted the complete mess in almost all the Sports Associations in J&K including Badminton Association of J&K alleging that few office bearers are running the said Associations over the years despite their ineligibilities having crossed 70 years of age as stipulated in Sports Code, 2011 and the said individuals/office bearers have damaged the Sports Movement in J&K for their vested interests and the casualty is the Sportspersons and Sports Lovers.
In the PIL, the three former State Badminton Players have specifically referred that the last elections of Badminton Association of J&K were held on March 6, 2022 and as per election results Chander Prakash Sharma (Ganga) was elected as President, Dr. O.D. Sharma as Chairman and 03 Vice-Chairmen namely Dharamvir Sharma, Mohd. Irfan Shah and Dr. Satish Chander; Dr. Balbir Singh Jamwal, General Secretary (01), Fayaz Ahmed and Rahul Sharma Joint Secretary (02), Treasurer Dushyant Sharma, Chairman, Planning & Development-N.R. Gupta, Advisor-Subash Sharma.
The petitioners have further divulged in the PIL that out of the aforesaid office bearers, the Chairman of the Association Dr. O.D. Sharma, Vice Chairman Dr. Satish Chander, General Secretary Balbir Singh Jamwal, Chairman-Planning & Development N.R. Gupta have crossed the age of 70 years and as per Sports Code, 2011, these office bearers after attaining the age of 70 years cannot continue as office bearers of the Badminton Association of J&K. It has further been divulged that the President of the Badminton Association of J&K Chander Prakash Sharma (Ganga) has also crossed 70 years of age and is thus ineligible to hold the post of the President.
The PIL has sought appropriate directions for the strict enforcement of the Sports Code, 2011 and Guidelines of Sports Council read with the directions passed by the High Court of Delhi in WP (C) No.195/2010 titled Rahul Mehra V/s Union of India and Ors. in various Sports Associations in J&K including Badminton Association of J&K.
The instant PIL is going to be listed before the Division Bench after the ensuing winter vacations.