AITA files application in Delhi HC to unseal poll results

PUNE: The All India Tennis Association on Monday filed an application in the Delhi High Court to unseal the results of its recently held elections.
The application was part of the response AITA filed in a writ petition brought forward against it by Davis Cuppers Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, who had sought a stay on the elections citing breach of National Sports Code.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav had on September 24, while admitting the case, allowed the polls to go ahead but ordered the results to be not declared and presented to the court in a sealed envelope.
“The returning officer today filed the sealed envelope to the court. From AITA, we have filed an application to open the envelope,” Ashish Prasad, advocate for AITA, told TOI from Delhi over phone.
“Two weeks’ time has been given for all parties to file their response. Next hearing is on November 25,” he added.
Prasad said that with the Union government, first respondent in the case, releasing a draft for a new sports code, AITA would prefer the “new bill to come into play” before the court makes a decision.
“Until then the current office-bearers would continue. I don’t think the court would want the case to go into a limbo,” he said.
“We are on the same page when it comes to what they (petitioners) are asking for, good administration and good compliance (of the sports code).
“My advice has always been to abide by the law. If the new group (of office-bearers) comes forward, and if they are above 70 or (in breach of) tenure as per the (new) code, they will go.”
Asked if there had been any overtures from either party to settle the case amicably, Prasad was diplomatic.
“My advice is to talk and look for common ground,” he said.