Safiya Malik

The High Court of Delhi, Single Bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna directed that the All India Carrom Federation (AICF), being an unrecognized body, must remove the word “India” from its name and related materials. The Court noted that the Union of India has not renewed AICF’s recognition as a National Sports Federation, treating it as a private entity not authorized to represent the country officially. It held that while the federation may continue to send teams abroad under a changed name, such teams cannot be projected as representing India officially. The Court also allowed the federation to apply anew for government recognition in accordance with the National Sports Code and relevant procedures.

This batch of writ petitions concerns challenges related to the elections of the All India Carrom Federation (AICF) and the use of the expressions “India” or “Indian” by that entity. The matters were heard together before the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi, with the date of decision recorded as 29.10.2025. The petitions sought directions inter alia to quash the election results of AICF and to restrain the entity from using “India/Indian.” During the hearing, attention was drawn to a letter dated 17 December 2024 from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), Government of India, recording that the Ministry had not recognized any federation for the sport of carrom.

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The Court noted the position of the Union of India (UOI) that it does not recognize AICF as a National Sports Federation, and therefore AICF’s current status is that of a private body. A short affidavit filed by UOI was taken on record. As per that affidavit, renewal of recognition was not granted because AICF was not following the “one state one unit principle” contemplated in Clause 3.10 of Annexure II of the National Sports Code. The Court also recorded the UOI’s position that, under Clause 3.6(ii) of the Sports Code, the expressions “India/Indian” cannot be used without prior approval of the Government of India.

The Court further noted submissions from AICF that it sends teams to international sporting events where those teams represent the country, and that for carrom it is only AICF which sends teams abroad. The Court proceeded on the basis of the present non-recognition of AICF and its consequent characterization as a private body, while granting liberty to make a representation for recognition in accordance with law and subject to compliance with directions of UOI. The hearing concluded with directions concerning the AICF’s name and usage of expressions indicating official national status, as well as the manner in which teams may be described when sent by AICF pending any recognition decision by UOI.

The Court observed, “Perusal of the aforesaid letter clearly shows that the Government of India has categorically stated… that Ministry has not recognized any federation for the sport of carrom.” It recorded that, “The UOI does not recognize AICF as a National Sports Federation. Thus, as per the stand of UOI, the status of AICF is that of a private body.”

The Court noted, “Recognition of AICF has not been renewed by the UOI primarily on the ground that the AICF was not following ‘one state one unit principle’ as envisaged under Clause 3.10 of Annexure II of National Sports Code.” Referring to the statutory provisions, it stated, “As per Clause 3.6(ii) of the Sports Code, the expression ‘India’ or ‘Indian’ cannot be used without the prior approval of the Government of India.”

The Court then recorded, “Since the AICF is an unrecognized federation, it cannot use the word/expression ‘India’ or ‘Indian’ in their title, logos, letterheads etc.” Justice Mini Pushkarna observed, “It becomes apparent that the AICF is a private entity/body.”

Acknowledging AICF’s contention, the Court noted, “Learned counsel appearing for AICF submitted that the said entity sends teams to various sporting events internationally, wherein, the teams represent the country.” It further recorded, “With respect to the sport of carrom, it is only the AICF which sends teams to various parts of the world.”

The Court clarified, “Considering the submissions made before this Court, it is manifest that AICF cannot be considered as a National Sports Federation… in the absence of renewal of recognition.” It also noted, “As regards the election of the Carrom Federation, this Court has not gone into the said issue on account of the categorical stand of UOI.”

“It is directed that AICF shall change its name in order to delete the word ‘India’ from its nomenclature. Whenever any team is sent by the AICF, which shall be sent only with its changed/amended name, the said federation shall specify that the team is from India and shall not portray the team as the Indian Team, which is recognized by the Government of India.”

“Liberty is granted to the said entity to make a representation to the UOI for the purposes of its recognition as a National Sport Federation… The said Carrom Federation shall comply with all the directions as may be issued by UOI with regard to grant of recognition.”

“In case, the UOI is satisfied with the various compliances made by the said Carrom Federation, the UOI may proceed to grant recognition to the Carrom Federation, in accordance with law, and after following the due procedure.”

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“The said Carrom Federation shall not use the expression ‘India’ or ‘Indian’ in any manner either in its name or any logo etc. or in the competitions conducted by them. Liberty is granted to the Carrom Federation to use the expression ‘Team from India’, in order to show that the representation is from the country India.”

“As regards the election of the Carrom Federation, this Court has not gone into the said issue… With the aforesaid directions, the present writ petitions, along with the pending applications, are accordingly disposed of. The next date of 21st November, 2025 stands cancelled.”

Advocates Representing the Parties

For the Petitioners: Mr. Aseem Mehrotra, Advocate; Ms. Deeksha Mehrotra, Advocate.

For the Respondents: For UOI/Respondent(s) — Mr. Arnav Kumar, Advocate; Mr. Adit Garg, Advocate; Mr. Keshav Mittal, Advocate; Mr. Udit Dedhiya, Senior Panel Counsel, with Ms. Apurva Sachdeva, Advocate. For AICF — Mr. Atif Suhrawardy, Advocate; Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Advocate.

Case Title: Maharashtra Carrom Association v. Union of India & Anr.; Union Territory Pondicherry Carrom Association v. Union of India & Anr.; Ravi Kumar v. Union of India through Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports & Ors.; Maharashtra Carrom Association v. Union of India & Ors.

Neutral Citation: 2025: DHC:9515

Case Number: W.P.(C) 12805/2023; W.P.(C) 17077/2024; W.P.(C) 3099/2025; W.P.(C) 8665/2025.

Bench: Justice Mini Pushkarna.