Hockey India election deferred

New Delhi:

The Hockey India election scheduled for February 7 and which has already generated a lot of controversies was on Saturday deferred yet again because of a stay order from the Rajasthan High Court.

The office bearers of Hockey India met on Saturday for an emergency meeting and decided to put off the election till a final decision is taken by the Rajasthan High Court.

The election which has already been postponed a couple of times was to be held before February 28-March 13 Hockey World Cup here next month, but the latest legal development is bound to delay it further.

Hockey India referred the matter to the Returning Officer GS Mander along with copy of the said order and Minutes. The Returning Officer after taking legal advice has directed Hockey India to defer the elections till the final decision is taken by the Rajasthan High Court, because the entire electoral college of Hockey India has been stayed," a HI statement said.

"Hockey India has received an order from the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Jaipur Bench, passed by Justice RS Chauhan. The Court has stayed the operation of the Minutes of the Meeting dated 11th January, 2010 in which 30 States /Union Territories and 4 Institutional / Boards were granted affiliation," it added.