Archery body welcomes Supreme Court verdict

New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) The Archery Association of India (AAI) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict which directs the body to amend its constitution in conformity with the National Sports Development Code (NSDCI) and appoint former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi to oversee its elections.

"As you are aware, the Archery Association of India (AAI) went into an appeal against the judgement of the Hon'ble High Court and the matter was taken up by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and a final order has been issued yesterday.

"I am very happy to inform you that the Constitution amended by AAI in the General Body Meeting has been accepted with the condition that the AAI shall incorporate four more clauses as recommended by Ministry of Sports. The Court has directed that Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Administrator, will add these clauses in the Constitution within one week and hold the elections within four weeks," AAI President Tarlochan Singh told the association members in a letter.

"We are happy that Hon'ble Supreme Court has accepted our plea not to hold three meetings of general body and two for elections. Now only one meeting will be held to elect the office bearers. I am happy that the efforts made by you to amend the constitution as per sports code of the Ministry of Sports has been accepted," he added.

"All other clauses are accepted by us and you will get the copy as soon as the Administrator issues the revised constitution. We are all working for the promotion of archery and we are happy with the performance of our archers in the Asian Championship held in Dhaka."

On Monday, the Supreme Court had directed the AAI to amend its constitution in conformity with the NSDCI and thereafter former CEC Quraishi would oversee elections to the sports body.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed that the amendment to AAI should be in conformity with the NSDCI after Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha told the court that the amendments already carried out were not in consonance with the code.

The court also said that the amendments will be treated as directions of the top court.

The court said the constitution has to be amended within one week and that the amended constitution, as directed by it, should be filed before it.

However, this will not come in the way of former CEC conducting the elections, the order said.

Quraishi, the court said, "shall be at liberty to see that the constitution of the association is strictly in accordance with the Code and thereafter proceed with the election. If he has any reservation, he is at liberty to move this court."