Roller Skating Federation Elections: HC Directs Compliance with Sports Code

On May 20, 2025, the Delhi High Court directed the returning officer overseeing the Roller Skating Federation of India (RSKI) elections to ensure adherence to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, in the conduct of the elections.[1]

The present petition was filed by the Gujarat State Roller Skating Association (GSRSA), seeking a declaration that the election process initiated vide notification dated May 2, 2025, was null and void. The petitioner alleged the following:

• RSKI was resorting to activities against good governance in the sport of roller skating.
• The elections were being conducted without complying with the Federation’s own constitution, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) constitution, the Sports Code and the Union Government’s guidelines.
• Certain official state associations were arbitrarily removed and recognition was instead granted to an association which did not comply with the membership criteria laid down in the Federation’s constitution.
• RSKI failed to hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and other meetings since 2020-21.
• It had last prepared its accounts and had them audited in 2021, with the audit reports of the last 3 years uploaded only after service of the present petition and also bearing different signatures.

The Union Government (Respondent No.2 herein) raised objections to the inclusion of Athlete Commission in the list of electoral college dated May 11, 2025, at serial no. 61-62. It submitted that the Athlete Commission was a stranger to the electoral college and only members of the state/union territory association, duly affiliated, could be part of the electoral college.

In view of this, the Court directed the returning officer to ensure that the elections and the electoral college are in accordance with the applicable guidelines, including the Sports Code and the IOA constitution. It clarified that although the election process could proceed, it would be subject to the outcome of the petition.

Pursuant to the order, the revised list of the electoral college was issued, excluding the Athlete Commission, with the final entries ending at serial no.59-60. The elections were subsequently concluded.

The matter will be heard next on September 16, 2025.

[1] Gujarat State Roller Skating Association v. Roller Skating Federation of India and Ors. [W.P.(C) 6851/2025].