Delhi High Court
Kho Kho Federation Of India vs Union Of India And Ors on 13 March, 2026
Author: Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav
Bench: Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav
$~44
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 3256/2026
Date of Decision: 13.03.2026
IN THE MATTER OF:
KHO KHO FEDERATION OF INDIA .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Sr. Advocate with
Mr. Sachin Chopra, Ms Astha Gupta,
Mr. Nishit Aggarwal & Mr. Rajesh
Singh, Advocates.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Ruchir Mishrra with Mr. Sanjiv
K. Saxena, Mr. Mukesh Kr. Tiwari,
Ms. Reba Jena Mishra, Ms. Poonam
Shukla & Mr. Sarvesh P. Shrivastava,
Advocates for R1.
Mr. Rahul Mehra, Sr. Advocate with
Mr. Chaitanya Gosain, Mr. Hanif
Chimthana & Mr. Yogesh Verma,
Advocates for R2.
Ms. Ruchira Gupta with Mr. Parth
Goswami, Advocates for R3.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV
JUDGEMENT
PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J. (ORAL) CM APPL. 15665/2026
1. Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
Signature Not Verified Signature Not VerifiedSigned By:NEHA CHOPRA Signed
Signing Date:17.03.2026 By:PURUSHAINDRA
13:52:50
KUMAR KAURAV
2. The application stands disposed of.
W.P.(C) 3256/2026 & CM APPL.15664/2026
3. The petition is for directions to the Union of India to take time bound action against respondent no.2-Kho Kho India [KKI] under the National Sports Development Code, 2011 [Sports Code] and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 [Act] for the alleged violation of the provisions thereof, by using the term 'India' in its name and portraying itself as the official body for the sport of Kho Kho in India. There are various other reliefs prayed for by the petitioner.
4. The petitioner-Kho Kho Federation of India claims to be the recognised National Sports Federation [NSF] for the sport of Kho Kho. KFI is stated to be an organisation claiming to be an official recognised body for the sport in the country. The petitioner submits that the word 'India' can only be used by associations recognised by the Union of India and since the petitioner is the only NSF for the sport of Kho Kho, therefore, the use of the word 'India' by KFI is in violation of the Act and the Sports Code.
5. Reliance is placed on a decision passed by this Court dated 29.09.2025 in the case of Maharashtra Carrom Association v. Union of India & Anr.1 It is pointed out that directions were sought against All India Carrom Federation [AICF] not to use the title 'India' or 'Indian'. It is submitted that in paragraph nos. 8 to 10, 18 & 19, directions were issued to AICF not to use the expression 'India' or 'Indian' in any manner either in its name or logo etc. or in the competitions conducted by them.
6. The submissions made by Mr. Apoorv Kurup, learned senior counsel, appearing for the petitioner, are strongly opposed by Mr. Rahul Mehra, Signature Not Verified Signature Not Verified Signed By:NEHA CHOPRA Signed Signing Date:17.03.2026 By:PURUSHAINDRA 13:52:50 KUMAR KAURAV learned senior counsel, who appears on advance notice on behalf of KFI. He submits that KFI is the only organisation which is internationally recognised under the Olympic Movement. According to him, the dispute as to who should be recognised as an NSF in the year 2026, itself, is under consideration before the Union of India. According to him, KFI has also submitted its claim before the Union for its recognition as an NSF and the same is pending consideration.
7. The submissions made by Mr. Mehra are vehemently traversed by Mr. Kurup who contends that if the scheme of the Act is considered in its right perspective, it would unequivocally indicate that the petitioner, which had been recognised as the NSF up to the year 2025, is deemed to have recognition for the year 2026 as well. According to him, unless the recognition is specifically revoked, there is no reason as to why the petitioner should not be deemed to have NSF-recognition at present. He points out that as on date, admittedly, KFI has not been recognised as an NSF.
8. The Court, however, at this point of time, is not examining the aforesaid aspect. The Court only notes that the petitioner's grievance by way of a representation dated 15.01.2026 and a reminder dated 20.01.2026 is pending consideration before the Union of India. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's representation dated 15.01.2026 and the reminder dated 20.01.2026, it is found apposite to direct the Union of India to deal with the same in accordance with law due expedition. Let the same be decided within four weeks from the date of 1 2025:DHC:9515 Signature Not Verified Signature Not Verified Signed By:NEHA CHOPRA Signed Signing Date:17.03.2026 By:PURUSHAINDRA 13:52:50 KUMAR KAURAV receipt of a copy of this order.
9. Accordingly, the petition, along with pending applications, stands disposed of.
10. All rights and contentions of the parties are left open.
PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J
MARCH 13, 2026
tr
Signature Not Verified Signature Not Verified
Signed By:NEHA CHOPRA Signed
Signing Date:17.03.2026 By:PURUSHAINDRA
13:52:50
KUMAR KAURAV