The Sports Ministry has granted conditional recognition to the interim Executive Committee of the Judo Federation of India (JFI), which was elected last month following directions from the Delhi High Court.
However, the Ministry has made it clear that any failure to comply with the court’s orders or any irregularities in its functioning could result in the recognition being suspended or withdrawn.
The JFI has been under the control of a court-appointed administrator since 2022. In February this year, the Delhi High Court directed the federation to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and amend its constitution to bring it in line with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Following those directions, the JFI elected an interim Executive Committee headed by veteran sports administrator Mukesh Kumar as President, with Banee Brata Das as Secretary General and Shailesh Tilak as Treasurer.
Confirming its decision, the Ministry said, “…it has been decided to grant recognition to the Executive Committee of the Judo Federation of India (Interim Body) with immediate effect.”
It also clarified that the recognition would remain subject to the outcome of pending court cases related to the federation’s elections.
“The above government recognition is subject to the outcome of the ongoing court cases concerning elections to the Executive Committee (EC) of JFI pending before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and/or other Hon’ble High Courts…,” the notification stated.
The Ministry warned that the interim body must strictly comply with the High Court’s directions.
“In the event of any default and/or any gross irregularities on the part of the interim body, the present conditional grant of recognition may be suspended/revoked,” it further said.
The Ministry has also directed the federation to complete elections for its regular Executive Committee as ordered by the court.
“The interim body of JFI shall mandatorily amend its constitution to bring it in consonance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and the rules framed thereunder within the timeline stipulated in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi’s order dated February 12, 2026,” it said.
The federation has also been instructed to submit monthly progress reports to the Ministry.
“The interim body of JFI shall submit a monthly report to this Ministry on the progress achieved in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. The interim body shall, at all times, align its operations with the principles of transparency and accountability,” the Ministry said.
Besides the President, Secretary General and Treasurer, the newly elected interim Executive Committee includes four vice-presidents and four joint secretaries.
Former India tennis player and sports administrator Manisha Malhotra is among the office-bearers. Former Commonwealth Games medallists L. Sushila Devi and Akram Shah have been elected as Sportspersons of Merit on the interim committee.
Under the National Sports Governance Act, an Executive Committee can have a maximum of 15 members, including at least two Sportspersons of Merit and four women members.
The Act also limits the tenure of office-bearers, allowing a person to serve as President, Secretary General or Treasurer for a maximum of three consecutive terms, whether served separately or in combination.