Delhi HC disapproves Praful Patel election; orders fresh election within five months

All India Football Federation president Praful Patel, who was elected to the helm for the third successive tenure, after elections were conducted last year in December, has now been asked to be set aside by the Delhi Supreme Court.  

This decision comes after a plea was made by advocate Rahul Mehra, who contended that the elections of the federation were held contrary to the National Sports Code. The court found the reason and evidence sufficient and has directed fresh elections be conducted within a period of five months.

To look into the functioning of the AIFF in the meantime, former chief election commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi has been appointed by a bench of justice S Ravindra Bhat and Najmi Waziri.

Praful Patel, who has remained a civil aviation minister earlier, was elected for the post of the AIFF president in December last year along with the Executive Committee for the term 2017-2020 after the high court had vacated a stay on elections.