Delhi HC Quashes TTFI Secretary General Suspension Order

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court, in Kamlesh Mehta v. Table Tennis Federation of India & Ors. (W.P.(C) 1680/2026, judgment dated May 11, 2026), set aside the decision of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) declaring its Secretary General, Mr Kamlesh Mehta, persona non grata and suspending him from office pending inquiry. The Court held that the impugned action had been taken without granting the petitioner an opportunity of hearing and therefore violated principles of natural justice.

Mr. Kamlesh Mehta had been elected Secretary General of TTFI in elections held on December 5, 2022, pursuant to directions issued by the Delhi High Court in Manika Batra v. TTFI & Ors. (W.P. (C) No. 10590/2021, while Ms. Meghna Ahlawat assumed office as President. On January 6, 2026, the President issued notices convening the Executive Committee Meeting (“ECM”) and Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) scheduled for January 28, 2026, stating that the notices were being issued owing to the petitioner’s alleged non-cooperation.

Thereafter, 17 State member associations requisitioned a Special General Meeting (“SGM”). The petitioner issued the SGM notice on January 9, 2026, and the meeting was held on January 17, 2026, with the participation of 20 member States. During the SGM, resolutions were passed declaring the ECM/AGM notice dated January 6, 2026, invalid and objecting to agenda items concerning discrimination in North-Eastern States.

On January 28, 2026, the ECM and AGM were held, following which the Executive Committee passed a resolution suspending the petitioner from the post of Secretary General pending inquiry and declaring him persona non grata under Clause 11(d) of the MoA. The petitioner challenged the resolution before the Delhi High Court, contending that no notice or opportunity of hearing had been granted prior to the action.

Before the Court, TTFI questioned the maintainability of the writ petition on the ground that the MoA contained an arbitration clause. Rejecting the objection, the Court observed that TTFI is recognised by the Union of India as a National Sports Federation (“NSF”) responsible for the management and regulation of the sport of table tennis. Relying upon Narinder Batra v. Union of India [2009 SCC On Line Del 480], the Court noted that recognised National Sports Federations receive financial assistance and other facilities from the Government and perform functions relating to the administration and development of sport.

TTFI defended the impugned action by relying on Clause 11(d) of the MoA, which empowers the Executive Committee to declare a person persona non grata where the conduct of such person is likely to endanger the harmony, character, stability, or interests of the federation. The respondents argued that emergent circumstances warranted immediate action even without prior hearing.

The Court held that although Clause 11(d) did not expressly provide for a hearing, it also did not exclude the application of principles of natural justice. Referring to A.K. Kraipak & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. [(1969) 2 SCC 262], Union of India v. Tulsiram Patel [(1985) 3 SCC 398], State Bank of India v. S.K. Sharma [(1996) 3 SCC 364], and Liberty Oil Mills & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. [(1984) 3 SCC 465], the Court observed that the present case involved a complete absence of opportunity of hearing. The Court further recorded that “no notice/intimation at all was granted to the petitioner” before the impugned order was passed.

While examining the contention regarding emergent circumstances, the Court noted that the SGM dated January 17, 2026, comprised 20 of the 34 member States and that the resolutions passed therein were unanimous. The Court held that the circumstances placed before the Executive Committee were not such as to justify the exclusion of the principles of natural justice.

The Court also recorded allegations, inter alia, concerning the functioning of TTFI and its office-bearers, including allegations of conflicts of interest, financial irregularities, and commercial decisions involving Stag Global and 11 Sports Private Limited. In view of the allegations concerning the functioning of the federation, the Court appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Murari as the Enquiry Authority to inquire into the conduct and functioning of TTFI, including its office-bearers. The Court finally set aside the impugned order declaring the petitioner persona non grata and suspending him from the post of Secretary General, along with all actions taken pursuant thereto.