AI Structured Summary
Not yet generated for this judgment
Judgment
Soumen Sen, C.J.
We have heard Mr. James Abraham (Vilayakattu), learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. M. Jayakrishnan, learned Central Government Counsel for the Union of India, Ms. Latha Anand, learned Standing Counsel for the 2nd respondent and Mr. Sabu George, learned counsel for respondents 3 and 4.
The order passed by the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports on 15.07.2025 is taken on record. As rightly pointed out by the learned counsel for the 3rd respondent, the locus of the present petitioner requires examination, since the petitioner is not a member of Power Lifting India, an association that had been recognized by the National Sports Federation for a significant period, but whose recognition was subsequently suspended and has since ceased to exist. It appears that the petitioner claims to be a powerlifter, who participated in the 83 kg category, achieving a total of 645.0 kg at the World Open Men’s Championships held from 13 to 18 November 2017. However, it appears that the person aggrieved by the decision would be Power Lifting India, and the present petitioner does not have the locus to challenge the decision of the Government of India not to grant affiliation or recognition to Power Lifting India. Power Lifting India appears to be a society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, as evidenced by the certificate issued by the Registrar of Societies on 26.02.2024. The recognition or non-recognition of Power Lifting India cannot, by itself, prevent the petitioner from participating in the National event, provided that the petitioner is otherwise qualified.
Strangely, Power Lifting India, which should have been the aggrieved party entitled to challenge the order passed by the 1st respondent, has not come forward and challenged the order dated 15.07.2025. However, as pointed out by the learned counsel for the petitioner, while disposing of the issue as to whether Power Lifting India would be entitled to conduct the Annual National Championship, it has been observed in the order that, since Power Lifting India is recognised by the International Powerlifting Federation and is a registered society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, it may continue its activities for the promotion of the sport of powerlifting and may apply afresh for Government recognition upon fulfilling all the requirements prescribed under the Guidelines for Recognition of National Sports Federations contained in the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, and other instructions issued from time to time by the Ministry. The Power Lifting Federation cannot act beyond the permission granted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and in the event of any violation thereof, it would be open to the petitioner to make a representation before the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, since we feel that any action beyond the said permission may adversely affect the participants.
The Public Interest Litigation is disposed of.
APPENDIX OF WP(PIL) NO. 93 OF 2025
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P-1 A TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE DATED NIL ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER BY THE INTERNATIONAL POWERLIFTING FEDERATION FOR HAVING PARTICIPATED WORLD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP HELD FROM 13 TO 18, NOVEMBER, 2017 IN PILSEN/CZECHIA
Exhibit P-2 A TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE DATED NIL ISSUED BY THE INDIAN POWERLIFTING FEDERATION PETITIONER TO THE PETITIONER FOR HAVING PARTICIPATED JUNIOR NATIONAL POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD FROM 5 TO 10 JANUARY, 2015 AT JAMMU
Exhibit P-3 A TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE DATED NIL ISSUED BY THE INDIAN POWERLIFTING FEDERATION PETITIONER TO THE PETITIONER FOR HAVING PARTICIPATED SENIOR NATIONAL POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD FROM 14 TO 19 AUGUST, 2017 AT JAMMU
Exhibit P-4 A TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CODE OF INDIA, 2011
Exhibit P-5 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 03.10.2017 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE AFORESAID IPF
Exhibit P-6 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 18.01.2019
Exhibit P-7 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 28.01.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO. 14153/2019 OF THE HON’BLE HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
Exhibit P-8 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 16.03.2020 SUBMITTED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE REGISTRAR OF FIRMS, SOCIETIES AND NON-TRADING CORPORATIONS, GOVT. OF WEST BENGAL
Exhibit P-9 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 23.02.2024 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-10 A TRUE COPY OF THE FIR IN CRIME NO. 561/2024 OF ALAPPUZHA SOUTH POLICE STATION
Exhibit P-11 A TRUE COPY OF THE FIR IN CRIME NO. 514/2024 OF ALAPPUZHA SOUTH POLICE STATION
Exhibit P-12 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 01.02.2019 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA ALONG WITH THE LIST OF RECOGNIZED NSFS
Exhibit P-13 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 29.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-14 A TRUE COPY OF THE PRINTOUT OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT IN OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Exhibit P-15 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 11.10.2019 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-16 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 12.12.2022 ISSUED BY THE KERALA STATE POWERLIFTING ASSOCIATION TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT SPORTS COUNCIL
Exhibit P-17 TRUE COPIES OF THE CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO CERTAIN PLAYERS IN THE YEARS 2018, 2019 AND 2021 BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT IN THE NAME OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-18 TRUE COPIES OF THE CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO CERTAIN PLAYERS IN THE YEARS 2022 AND 2023 BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT IN THE NAME OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-19 A TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 24.11.2023 IN O. A. NO. 692/2022 OF THE CAT, ERNAKULAM BENCH
Exhibit P-20 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.07.2024 ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
Exhibit P-21 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 16.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT
Exhibit P-22 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 02.09.2024 IN W.P.(C) NO. 17483/2024
Exhibit P-15 English translation of Ext.P-15
Exhibit P-23 (A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE AND PROGRAMME CHART OF THE 'NATIONAL LEVEL CHAMPIONSHIP IN CLASSIC AND EQUIPPED POWERLIFTING (MEN & WOMEN)' SCHEDULED FROM 2ND TO 7TH OF AUGUST, 2025 AT KOZHIKKODE DATED 15.04.2025) EXHIBIT P23 IS SUBSTITUTED WITH ANNEXURE A1 AS PER ORDER DATED 23/9/25 IN I.A1/25IN WP(PIL)
Exhibit P-16 English translation of Ext.P-16
Exhibit P-20 English translation of Ext.P-20
Exhibit P-10 English translation of Ext.P-10
Exhibit P-11 English translation of Ext.P-11
Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE AND PROGRAM CHART OF THE NATIONAL LEVEL CHAMPIONSHIP EQUIPMENT POWERLIFTING (MEN & WOMEN) SCHEDULED FROM 02ND TO 07TH AUGUST, 2025 AT KOZHIKODE
RESPONDENT EXHIBITS
Exhibit-R3(a) A true copy of memorandum of W.P(C) No.17483 of 2024 dated 08-05-2024 without the exhibits
Exhibit-R3(b) A true copy of Affidavit in I.A No.2/2024 and 3/2024 in W.P(C) No.17483 of 2024 dated 08-05-2024 without the exhibits
Exhibit-R3(c) A true copy of letter No: F4/1657/PI/2024 dated 12-04-2024 of Powerlifting India served on Sri. Joseph Stanly
Exhibit-R3(d) A true copy of judgment dated 02-09-2024 in W.P(C) No. 15959 of 2024
Exhibit-R3(e) A true copy of the letter dated 17-08-2017 issued by the Secretary General of the International Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(f) A true copy of the letter dated 07-09-2017 issued by the President of the Asian Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(g) A true copy of the letter dated 16-11-2017 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the Secretary General of the Indian Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(h) A true copy of the letter dated 22-11-2017 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Secretary General of the Indian Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(i) A true copy of the letter dated 23-11-2017 issued by the Ministry of External Affairs to the Secretary General of the Indian Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(j) A true copy of the minutes of the General Body Meeting held on 03-12-2017
Exhibit-R3(k) A true copy of the letter dated 07-12-2017 issued by the President of the Asian Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(l) A true copy of the letter dated 08-12-2017 issued by the President of the International Powerlifting Federation to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Exhibit-R3(m) True copy of the Certificate of Membership issued by the International Powerlifting Federation to Respondent No.3 on 24-07-2019
Exhibit-R3(n) True copy of the Certificate of Recognition dated 29-05-2020 issued by the President of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation
Exhibit-R3(o) A true copy of the order dated 01-12-2017 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in W.P(C) No.10716 of 2017
Exhibit-R3(p) A true copy of the order dated 13-03-2018 in CS SCJ 1224/17 before the Court of Civil Judge, South East District, Saket Courts, New Delhi
Exhibit-R3(q) A true copy of the notice, dated 28-02-2018
Exhibit-R3(r) A true copy of the investigation report dated nil
Exhibit-R3(s) A true copy of the letter dated 28-07-2020 issued by the Registrar of Firms, Societies and Non-Trading Corporations of the Government of Bengal
Exhibit-R3(u) A true copy of the representation dated 12-09-2023 filed by Respondent No.4 before the Registrar of Firms, Societies and Non-Trading Corporations of the Government of Bengal
Exhibit-R3(v) A true copy of the letter dated 08-02-2018 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to the Secretary General of the Powerlifting India
Exhibit-R3(w) A true copy of the letter dated 05-05-2022 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the Secretary General of the Powerlifting India
Exhibit-R3(x) A true copy of the letter dated 02-03-2023 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the Secretary General of the Powerlifting India
Exhibit-R3(y) A true copy of application/representation submitted by Respondent No.4 to the Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India on 07-02-2024
Exhibit R3(z) A true copy of the certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of Societies, Karnataka State, dated 26-02-2024 along with its translation in English
Exhibit R3(zb) A true copy of the memorandum of R.P No.1027 of 2024 presented on 24-09-2024 (Without the annexures)
Exhibit R3(zc) . A true copy of the order dated 17-01-2025 in R.P No.1027 of 2024
Exhibit R3(zd) A true copy judgment dated 08-09-2025 in Contempt Case(C) No.1424/2025
Exhibit R3(za) A true copy of the order dated 15-07-2025 issued Respondent No.1
Exhibit-R3(t) A true copy of the order dated 21-02-2022 in CNR No.JKJM020011052022 passed by the Court of Addl.District Judge, Jammu
Exhibit R1(B) A true copy of judgement dated 08.09.2025 in Contempt Case(C) No. 1424 of 2025
Exhibit R1(D) A true copy of Extraordinary Gazette No. CG-DL-E-31122025-268971 dated 31.12.2025
Exhibit R1(E) A true copy of Extraordinary Gazette No. CG-DL-E-12012026-269296 dated 12.01.2026
Exhibit R1(C) A true copy of Extraordinary Gazette No. CG-DL-E-19082025-265482 dated 18.08.2025
Exhibit R1(A) A true copy of Order No.10-70/2024/SP-III issued by Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs And Sports Department of Sports dated 15.07.2025