Boxing Federation of India Election Process Halted by Court Orders

Election Process for Boxing Federation of India Paused

The appointed returning officer overseeing the elections for the new executive committee of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has temporarily halted the election proceedings.

Justice RK Gauba issued a directive to suspend all election activities following favorable court rulings for the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association (DABA) and the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA).

On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court intervened, putting a stay on an order from BFI president Ajay Singh that barred DABA representatives from participating in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for March 28, where the new executive will be elected. Concurrently, the Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled in favor of HPBA, mandating the inclusion of former sports minister Anurag Thakur in the electoral college and extending the nomination submission deadline to allow him to file his candidacy.

Justice Gauba has granted the BFI time to respond to the two High Court decisions.

In his order on Friday, Justice Gauba noted, 'The aforementioned orders were issued by the respective High Courts after the nomination scrutiny phase concluded on March 18, 2025, and the valid nominations list was published on March 19, 2025, according to the schedule released on March 12, 2025. The Delhi High Court instructed the BFI to continue the election process and allow DABA to participate, while the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered an extension of the nomination submission deadline to enable Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur to file his nomination and fully engage in the AGM.'

'This requires the BFI to undertake specific actions in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and the model election code. Given that the model election code sets timelines for the electoral process, it becomes practically unfeasible to proceed with the election under the current schedule with the mandated additions to the electoral college list. Therefore, the process is paused until the BFI updates me on the actions taken in response to the court orders,' the order further stated.