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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ, TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J
Roller Skating Federation Of India - Appellant
versus
Sanchit Bhandari & Anr. - Respondents
LPA 219 of 2025 & CM APPL. 17559 of 2025, CM APPL. 17560 of 2025
Decided on : 27-03-2025
(A) Sports Development Act - National Sports Federation's authority to conduct selection trials - The appellant, a National Sports Federation, was restrained from conducting selection trials for the World Games 2025, as the respondent had already qualified based on previous performance - The court found the requirement for a new trial to be arbitrary and unfair. (Paras 1, 10, 12)
(B) Right to Fair Selection - The court emphasized that selection should be based on merit and current performance, recognizing the respondent's prior achievements as sufficient for qualification. (Paras 3, 10)
Facts of the case:
The appellant sought to conduct selection trials for the World Games 2025 despite the respondent claiming qualification based on his performance in the Italy Games 2024. The learned Single Judge restrained the appellant from conducting trials, leading to the present appeal. (Paras 1-3)
Findings of Court:
The court upheld the Single Judge's decision, concluding that requiring the respondent to undergo trials was irrational and unfair, given his prior ranking and contribution to the nation's qualification. (Paras 10, 13)
Issues: The main issues included whether the respondent was entitled to bypass selection trials based on previous performance and the authority of the National Sports Federation to conduct such trials. (Paras 3, 10)
Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the respondent's participation and ranking in prior competitions justified his qualification without undergoing further trials, emphasizing fairness in selection processes. (Paras 10, 12)
Result: Appeal dismissed.
JUDGMENT :
TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J.
1. Present letters patent appeal has been filed assailing the judgment dated 19.03.2025 (hereinafter referred as “impugned judgment”) passed by the learned Single Judge whereby the underlying writ petition bearing W.P.(C) No.1413/2025 titled Sanchit Bhandari vs. Roller Skating Federation of India & Anr., filed by the respondent no.1/Sanchit Bhandari herein has been allowed and appellant herein has been restrained from conducting any further selection trials for the purpose of participation in the World Games 2025, Chengdu, China in the “Speed Slalom- Senior Ranked Men” category.
2. It is the case of the appellant that it is a recognized National Sports Federation (hereinafter referred as “NSF”) for Roller Skating in India and is responsible for conducting and selection trials for all the international events/national championships for Roller Skating Sports. It is stated that the present case pertains to the selection trials for the athletes to participate in the event “Speed Slalom-Senior Ranked Men” under the category of Inline Freestyle skating in the World Games, 2025, scheduled from 07.08.2025 to 17.08.2025 in Chengdu, China (hereinafter referred to as the “Chengdu Games, 2025”), called for by the appellant vide notification dated 24.01.2025.
3. Being aggrieved by the said notification, respondent no.1 filed the underlying writ petition seeking quashing of the said notification before the learned Single Judge on the ground that extreme prejudice would be suffered by the respondent no.1 if he is subjected to undergo selection trials for the purpose of participation in the Chengdu Games, 2025. The respondent no.1 claimed that he had already earned his participation by virtue of his performance in the Italy Games, 2024, therefore, the respondent no.1 need not undergo the selection process once again. The said writ petition was allowed in favour of the respondent no.1 vide the impugned order dated 19.03.2025. Aggrieved by the said direction of the learned Single Judge the appellant, which is the NSF, has preferred the present appeal.
4. Mr. Dhruv Gautam, learned Counsel for the appellant submitted that significant time has already lapsed since the Italy Games, 2024 were held and given the time gap between the aforesaid events, a fresh selection trial would help to evaluate the latest performance and select the best possible athlete to represent the country. He also submitted that on comparison of relative performance of the skaters in the event, the respondent no.1 was not the best available skater as he was holding 63rd rank while another skater (viz. Sh.. Nanal Jinesh Satyam) was holding 10th ranking in the latest rankings released by the World Skate Body for the year 2024.
5. Learned counsel for the appellant further submitted that no prejudice would be caused to the respondent no.1 if he participates in the selection trials proposed to be held by the appellant. In case the respondent no.1 emerges as the best athlete in proposed selection trials, he will necessarily have the right to participate in the ensuing Chengdu Games, 2025.
6. He further laid emphasis on the communication dated 01.10.2024, issued by the World Skate Body to contend that the performance of the respondent no.1 in Italy Games, 2024 resulted in the country gaining a quota in respect of the NSF rather than the respondent no.1 being selected for participation in the Chengdu Games, 2025. In that context, he brings attention of this court to the document titled “World Skate Games 2024 - Inline Freestyle, Italy” dated 20.07.2024 to impress upon us that the Italy Games, 2024 was treated as a qualifying game for entry to Chengdu Games, 2025. Dilating further on the said criteria he stated that under the para A regarding Italy games, 2024, it has been categorically specified that the obtained quotas are related to the NSF which shall select and register athletes by 30.03.2025. He also referred to the letter issued by the International Bo
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