Manipur Softball Association v. Softball Association of India and 2 Others

I tem No. 63 I N THE HI GH COURT OF MANI PUR AT I MPHAL MC(WP(C)) No. 715 of 2024 Manipur Softball Association Applicant Vs. Softball Association of India & 2 ors. Respondents BEFORE HON'BLE MR. JUSTI CE AHANTHEM BI MOL SI NGH

25.11.2024 Heard Mr. W. Jamon, learned counsel appearing for the applicant; Mr. Tayenjam. Momo, learned senior counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 1 & 2; and Mrs. I. Bimola, learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 3. At the outset, the learned counsel appearing for the parties submitted that the present application can be disposed of by passing similar order dated 27.09.2024 passed by this Court in MC(WP(C)) No. 574 of 2024 (Ref:- WP(C) No. 79 of 2023). Mr. T. Momo, learned senior counsel and Mrs. I. Bimola, learned counsel appearing for the respondents, submitted that they are raising the same objection that has been recorded in the earlier order passed by this Court. The present application has been filed with a prayer for issuing a direction to the respondent Nos. 1 & 2, to allow the Manipur Softball team selected by the Manipur Softball Association to participate in the East Zone Softball Championship Men and Women at Tufanganj Mahavidhyalaya Ground, Coochbehar (WB) which is going to be held from 29th November to 1st December 2024. LAIREN MAYUM INDRAJE ET SINGH by LAIRENMAYUM INDRAJEET SINGH Date: 2024.11.25 12:53:51 +05'30' The learned counsel appearing for the applicant submitted that in a similar situation, this Court has allowed the team selected by the Manipur Softball Association to participate in such similar tournament by passing interim order and that since the issue raised in the present application is similar, similar relief be granted. Mr. T. Momo, learned senior counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 1 & 2, submitted that counter affidavit on behalf of respondent No. 2 had already been filed in connection with the main petition and that the main petition be disposed of as early as possible to settle the dispute finally. The learned senior counsel also submitted that as per rules and regulations, only the team sponsored by the State Association which is affiliated to the Softball Association of India is permitted to participate in any tournament organized by the Softball Association of India and that as the petitioner association has already been de-affiliated, the team sponsored by the petitioner association cannot be allowed to participate in the said tournament. On the other hand, Mrs. I. Bimola, learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 3, submitted that counter affidavit on behalf of respondent No. 3 has also been filed and in the said counter affidavit, the preliminary issue regarding maintainability of the writ petition has been raised. The learned counsel further submitted that without deciding the maintainability of the writ petition, the present application filed by the applicant is not maintainable. The learned counsel further submitted that the main writ petition may also be disposed of as early as possible to settle the dispute once and for all. All the objections raised by the learned counsel appearing for the respondents as well as the issue raised in the present application will be decided in the main writ petition on the next date of hearing. Taking into consideration the interest of the players representing the State of Manipur and also taking into consideration the earlier order passed by this Court, this Court see no reason as to why the prayer made in the present application should not be allowed. Accordingly, respondent Nos. 1 & 2 are hereby directed to allow the players selected by the petitioner association to participate in the aforesaid tournament without any hindrances. With the aforesaid direction, the present application is disposed of. JUDGE Indrajeet