New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has found Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh guilty of contempt of court for deliberately failing to follow its earlier directives. The ruling came after the court examined a petition alleging non-compliance with an order that required the inclusion of an elected official in key meetings.
The case arose from a plea filed by Hockey India Vice President Syeed Asima Ali, who claimed she was denied access to executive board meetings despite a clear court order. The directive, issued on January 17, 2025, had instructed officials to provide her with necessary access links to ensure her participation. However, the court noted that these instructions were not followed for meetings held in July 2025.
In its observations, the court emphasized that the responsibility to comply with judicial orders remains binding unless formally modified. It pointed out that no effort was made to seek changes to the directive, nor was there any attempt to rectify the lapse. The absence of even a formal apology further strengthened the court’s view that the disobedience was intentional.
The judgment underscored that merely citing subsequent developments does not absolve authorities from adhering to standing court orders. It described the conduct of the officials, particularly Singh, as deliberate and calculated non-compliance. The court also highlighted that organizations operating under government support and funding bear an even greater responsibility to uphold legal directives.
While holding Singh guilty, the court stated that the issue of sentencing would be addressed on May 4. At the same time, it granted him an opportunity to take corrective steps to address the contempt.
The initial order had stemmed from concerns regarding Singh’s eligibility to hold office, with allegations pointing to violations of tenure and age limits under the Sports Code. As an interim measure, the court had ensured Ali’s participation in board proceedings, a direction that ultimately became the basis of the contempt finding.
