NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered for fresh elections for the top posts of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) within the next three months as the recent ones have been termed ‘illegal’, Press Trust of India reports.
The court appointed retired Indian Administrative Service officer Sanat Kaul as AKFI administrator to run its affairs till further orders and make sure that the elections take place with respect to model poll guidelines.
It means that Janardhan Singh Gehlot, who was recently elected unanimously for another 4-year term as the Indian Kabaddi Federation (IKF) president, has been removed from the post of AFKI life president. His wife Mridul Bhadauria, a gynaecologist by profession, was the president of the body before the High Court order.
The court was hearing a petition filed by former Indian kabaddi player and Arjuna awardee Mahipal Singh who alleged that the AKFI had not held any valid election for 28 years. He had challenged the appointments of Gehlot and Bhadauria.
“In 1984, Gehlot was elected as AKFI chief. Without a single election thereafter, till 2013, he continued as its president till May 19, 2013, on which date his presidency came to an end, only to “devolve” on his wife who was not only a complete stranger to all the member units of the AKFI but was, and is, a practising gynaecologist,” the court observed.
The petitioner had said that Gehlot ensured that after he ceased to be AKFI chief, his pre-eminence remained undisturbed by creating for himself the post of ‘life president’, so as to represent the AKFI at all international sports fora.
