The Delhi High Court on Monday nullified the suspension of Kamlesh Mehta as secretary general of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), appointing an enquiry authority to investigate the federation’s operations and governance.
Mehta, a former Indian paddler who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, was suspended and declared persona non grata following a resolution passed during an Annual General Meeting (AGM) called by TTFI President Meghana Ahlawat in January. He later challenged the AGM’s legitimacy, claiming he learned of his suspension through media reports, and filed a petition in February alleging government lapses.
A bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav set aside the suspension, stating in its order: “The Impugned Order declaring the petitioner, the Secretary General of TTFI, as persona non grata and suspending him from his post, is hereby set aside.” The court also appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Murari (Retd.) as the Enquiry Authority to investigate the conduct of TTFI office bearers, including Mehta. Any further disciplinary action against Mehta or other officials will only proceed after the enquiry authority completes its thorough investigation.