HC takes exception to non-filing of response by Commissioner Secy YSS, others

Jammu, Dec 17: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has taken exception to the non-filing of response by the Government of J&K and other respondents, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with regard to non-implementation of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 as well as guidelines of J&K Sports Council in various Sports Associations in J&K, including J&K Badminton Association.

When this PIL, filed by the former Badminton players, came up for hearing, the Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Jammu, comprising the Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, after considering the submission of the petitioners’ advocate, observed, “Despite repeated opportunities, respondents have failed to submit response.”

Earlier, the Division Bench expressed displeasure over the non-filing of a response by the Chief Secretary, Government of J&K; Commissioner Secretary to the Government of J&K, Youth Services and Sports; the Badminton Association of India and J&K Badminton Association in a petition [WP(C) PIL No 07/2025 titled Bakhtawar Singh and Others. v/s UT of J&K & Others].

The petitioners have alleged that some office bearers were part of most of the Sports Associations despite their ineligibilities, thereby “monopolising those Associations for their personal gains.”

Advocate S S Ahmed, appearing for the petitioners i.e., former Badminton players, submitted that the orders of the Division Bench were being taken casually by the respondents, despite the “conditional order passed by the Division Bench on November 10, 2025 wherein it (Division Bench) had categorically observed that in the event of default in filing the response, the right to file response would stand forfeited.”

He also submitted that in many Sports Associations in J&K, most of the office bearers were overaged; some of the office bearers were politicians, while in some cases, the office bearers were government officers or officials who had not obtained NOC from the Government of J&K.

After the Division Bench expressed its displeasure, the Deputy AG Dewakar Sharma, appearing on behalf of the Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports (YSS), prayed for a short adjournment to submit a response.

Advocate Ajay Sharma, vice advocate Ankush Manhas sought time on behalf of the J&K Badminton Association whereas advocate Amjad Maqbool, appearing through virtual mode, sought time to file response on behalf of Badminton Association of India.

The Division Bench granted the last opportunity to the appearing advocates for the respondents to file a response by or before the next date of hearing, failing which it directed that appropriate orders would follow.

The next hearing will take place on December 30, 2025.