The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Centre to issue a fresh reasoned order determining the validity of recognition granted to the National Yogasana Sports Federation (NYSF) as a national sports federation and also consider the submissions of Yoga Federation of India (YFI) against the same.

A Single Judge Bench of Justice Rekha Palli passed the order on a plea filed by YFI, assailing the recognition granted to NYSF, on the recommendation of the Ministry of AYUSH.

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for YFI, submitted that on the previous date of hearing, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was directed to look into the matter afresh and by proper application of mind. The Ministry was directed to pass an order determining the validity of recognition as a national sports federation granted to NYSF, but the Ministry, while passing the order, did not given any reason for the same and also did not consider the submissions of the petitioner.

Justice Palli slammed the Centre over the matter and said, “What is this? There is no semblance of reasoning. What is the purpose of a Court directing you? How did you pass an order like this?”

Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Anil Soni replied by stating that the order was passed after hearing the submissions of the concerned parties, but conceded that the reasoning for the said order was not mentioned.

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Justice Palli said, “My predecessor Bench had passed this order, this is not the way a Ministry is supposed to act.”

The petition averred that YFI was aggrieved by the authorities’ inaction regarding the recognition of Yogasana as a sports discipline and NYSF as a national sports federation till date.

“The NYSF was registered in financial year 2020-2021 and has no audit report of the last three financial years and as per the national sports development code, there must be two-third affiliated state units of the national body. The NYSF does not have experience as per the rules and also doesn’t have any details with regard to sub-junior and senior level National Yogasana Sports competition,” the plea had said.

It said that NYSF does not have district level units and the petitioner has completed all the criteria and rules and regulations of the National Sports Development Code of India (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports). The Court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 21.