New Delhi, April 21: The Delhi High Court has delivered a significant ruling, finding Hockey India and its Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh, guilty of contempt of court. The case was heard by Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav’s bench. The court determined that Hockey India deliberately failed to provide a virtual link for a selected official, Syed Asima Ali, to participate in Executive Board meetings.
The court had previously ordered on January 17, 2025, that Syed Asima Ali, who was elected as Vice President, should be allowed to attend all Executive Board meetings. It was essential for her to receive an online link for each meeting. However, she was not provided with the link for meetings held on July 4 and July 27, 2025.
The court considered this a “deliberate and contemptuous violation” of its order. In its defense, Hockey India claimed that Asima Ali was later disqualified due to issues related to her unit, which justified her exclusion from the meetings. However, the court completely rejected this argument.
Justice Kaurav emphasized that the court’s orders were clear and that no party had the right to interpret or alter them at will. He also stated that no organization could decide when and how to comply with court orders. The court made strong remarks, suggesting that there appeared to be an intentional attempt to disregard the order, even labeling it as a calculated conspiracy. The court noted irregularities in Hockey India’s operations.
During the proceedings, Bhola Nath Singh offered an apology, but Justice Kaurav deemed it insufficient and belated, refusing to accept it. The affidavit accompanying the apology also contained several deficiencies. The court recognized that such behavior undermines the respect for the judicial system and the law, thus constituting a clear case of civil contempt. Ultimately, the court found Hockey India and particularly Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh guilty. The next hearing regarding the punishment is scheduled for May 4, with the court stating that the respondents could take the opportunity to rectify their mistakes if they wished.
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