Today, Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna recused himself from hearing a set of petitions concerning the draft constitutions of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The CJI explained his decision, noting that he had previously dealt with one of these matters as a Delhi High Court Judge.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing petitions filed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) regarding proposed reforms in the governance of sports associations.

In September 2022, the Supreme Court appointed its former Judge, Justice L. Nageswara Rao, to oversee the process of amending the constitution of the sports body, preparing its electoral rolls, and conducting elections to its executive body.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had challenged a Delhi High Court order that placed the management of its affairs under a Committee of Administrators (CoA), following the Supreme Court's direction in the case of All India Football Federation vs. Rahul Mehra.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had also approached the Court seeking approval for the final draft of its constitution, following the appointment of Justice L. Nageswara Rao in 2023 to oversee the review of the draft.

However, the Chief Justice of India remarked that he had previously heard the matter while serving as a Judge of the Delhi High Court. Consequently, he directed that the case be listed before Justice PS Narasimha for further consideration.

In the Rahul Mehra case, the Supreme Court, in order to facilitate the holding of elections and transfer the affairs to a democratically elected body under the Constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), had reconstituted the Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the AIFF. The Court further directed the CoA to take immediate charge of all the affairs of the AIFF.

Today, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the petitioners, informed the bench that the two matters were interconnected, highlighting that "there are larger reforms which will affect every single sport in India."

Additionally, Senior Advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for 35 State Indian Olympic Associations, informed the bench that the Parliament is set to consider the National Sports Governance Bill in March.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing as amicus curiae, also submitted that a report, along with a chart detailing suggestions for the draft constitutions, has been filed.

During the previous hearing, the AIFF was allowed by the Court to file objections to the draft constitution proposed by Justice Rao.

The matter is now scheduled to be heard on February 10.