The former Supreme Court judge Justice AK Sikri has been appointed as the administrator by the Delhi High Court to oversee the utilization of funds for the upcoming International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup which is to be held in India in March, 2023.
A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad have passed the order while they were hearing an application moved by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
The Court ordered that Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd) Arjan Kumar Sikri,who was the former Judge Supreme Court of India, is appointed as an administrator to oversee the utilization of funds in the World Cup event that is being held in India in March, 2023.
The order also talks about the assistance of any sportsperson of his choice, who has been a national or international shooter, to assist him in the matter.
The court added that the funds released must get the concurrence of the administrator.
It added that Justice Sikri will be free to fix his remuneration commensurate to the work and the same will be paid by the Central government.
NRAI has moved to the Court for seeking modification of the order which directed that no more monies will be expanded by the Union government to any national sports federation which do not complying with the Sports Code as well as the orders of the Supreme Court and High Court.
NRAI argued that the stay by the High Court is affecting the smooth functioning of the National Sports Federations as the entire working capital has come to a standstill.
The Court was apprised about India hosting World Cup for the shooting sport and stoppage of funds would have an adverse affect.
The NRAI also added that it is dependent on the government for conducting international events in India along with various activities including training of the shooters and their participation in the international events.
The petitioner who was present in person (Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra)objected to the application stating that NRAI is also in violation of various clauses of the Sports Code.
Advocate Mehra also gave a solution to constitute a committee of a retired judges of the High Court along with Olympian Abhinav Bindra for have a look in the World Cup event in March, 2023 which should be responsible for the funds which are proposed to be released.
The bench agreed with the suggestion by Mehra and said it is true that the prestige of the country will be affected if there is any impediment in organising the World Cup event which would require funding from the government.
The Court then appointed Justice Sikri as the administrator requested him to furnish his report in a sealed cover to the Court after conclusion of the event.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma represented the Central Government.
NRAI was represented by Senior Advocate Kirti Uppal along with advocates Aditya Vikram Singh and Chandan Sinha.