SC Cites Inclination to Appoint Inquiry Commission to Probe Sports Federations

The Supreme Court, while hearing a plea filed by two national Kabaddi players, has cited an inclination to appoint a commission of inquiry for a deeper probe into the affairs of sports bodies. The plea had been initially heard in February to ensure the participation of Indian players in the Senior Asian Kabaddi Championship 2025. In its February order, the court had directed Justice (Retd.) S.P. Garg, who was appointed as the administrator of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), handed over the charge of the federation to the elected governing body. The court had also directed the International Kabaddi Federation to abide by the undertaking given by it to enable the participation of the players. The players participated and won the championship.

The order was preceded by another order directing the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, to explore diplomatic channels for resolving the conflict regarding the recognition of sports associations, most urgently the Kabaddi Federation of India. The order also sought instructions from the Director of CBI to suggest an investigation mechanism for effective domestic and international probes, with the assistance of International Investigating Agencies such as INTERPOL, into the affairs of the Sports Federation.

The matter has again come up for hearing, and the court, while granting two weeks’ time for the Union of India to evolve a suitable mechanism, cited a leaning towards inquiring into the affairs of all state and international sports associations in the country and dissolving them if a need arises.