Supreme Court to Examine if Match-Fixing Constitutes Cheating Under IPC
The Supreme Court will examine whether match-fixing amounts to a criminal offence under Section 420 IPC.
The case involves cricketers CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi, who were accused of accepting ₹20 lakh to underperform in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League final, leading the opposite team-Hubli Tigers, to win by 8 runs.
The Karnataka High Court had previously quashed the charges, stating that match-fixing did not meet the legal criteria for cheating under Section 420 IPC.
The Karnataka government has challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, which has appointed Advocate Shivam Singh as Amicus Curiae. The next hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2025. (State of Karnataka & Anr. v Abrar Kazi and Ors)
Prakshaal
Delhi High Court Directs Centre to Ensure Equal Participation of Male and Female Athletes
- Case Name: Rahul Kumar Verma v. Badminton Association of India & Ors.
The Delhi High Court directed the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to ensure gender parity in National Sports Federations’ events.
It held that restricting female para-athletes to 8 slots per event in the 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025, while granting 16 to male athletes, is discriminatory and violates the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
The Court was hearing a plea by Rahul Kumar Verma challenging the Badminton Association of India's selection criteria.
It also stressed broader participation by including athletes from domestic, local, and Khelo India events.
Arsalan Azmi
Suspension of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been Revoked: Centre Informed Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court dismissed WFI’s petition challenging an order requiring an ad-hoc committee to oversee its daily operations.
The Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry informed the court that WFI's suspension was lifted on March 10, 2025, in the interest of Indian sports and athletes.
The suspension was initially imposed due to governance lapses and election irregularities. WFI argued that the suspension and lack of an ad-hoc committee affected its participation in international competitions.
The ministry revoked the suspension after WFI implemented reforms, including an Athletes' Commission, Ethics Commission, and Internal Complaints Committee.
The court acknowledged these changes and allowed WFI to resume normal operations.
Aryan Sharma
Supreme Court Entrusts Charge Of Kabbadi Federation To Elected Body
- Case Name: Priyanka & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.
- Judge(s): Justice Surya Kant, Justice NK Singh
On February 6, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to ensure the participation of Indian Kabbadi players in the Asian Kabbadi Championship to be held in Iran from February 20 to 25, 2025.
The Court ordered that the charge of the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India (AKFI) be handed over to the elected governing body, that was elected in the election held on December 24, 2023.
The Court also emphasized the urgency of team selection for the championship.
The matter will be next heard on March 3, 2025.
Rudra
Delhi High Court Strikes Down Birth Certificate Rule, Ensures Equal Access to Sports
- Case Name: Deepak Jain v. Basketball Federation of India
- Judge(s): Justice Sachin Datta
The Delhi High Court ruled that athletes lacking birth certificates due to socio-economic hardships cannot be denied participation in sporting events.
It struck down the Basketball Federation of India’s (BFI) requirement for birth certificates issued within five years of birth, deeming it arbitrary and unfair.
The court directed adherence to the National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports, which allows medical tests for age verification and rejected BFI’s argument of lacking infrastructure and funds, emphasizing government reimbursement of these expenses.
This ruling promotes fair access to sports ensuring equal opportunities in competitive sports selection, setting a precedent for federations to adopt inclusive policies, and preventing discrimination based on documentation barriers.
Court Judgement / 2 months ago
Chetna Gupta
