A Delhi court has restored the position of Col Jaiveer Singh (retd) as Secretary General of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), holding his suspension by the federation’s executive committee as illegal, and restored his authority over the federation’s official communications and bank accounts.

Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, on December 22, restrained the EFI from giving effect to the minutes of its executive committee meeting on August 21, 2025, which had extended Col Singh’s suspension and appointed another official as acting secretary general.

The court also barred joint secretary M M Rehman from functioning as acting secretary general and restored Col Singh’s authority over the federation’s official communications and bank accounts.

Col Singh was elected as secretary general of the EFI in 2019. The federation has been embroiled in prolonged litigation since that year. In November 2019, the Delhi High Court appointed former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi as a court-appointed observer to oversee the EFI’s functioning amid allegations of mismanagement.

In May 2024, the high court ordered the reinstatement of the 2019-elected executive committee, including Col Singh, pending disposal of related writ petitions.

The controversy escalated in March 2025 when the EFI’s executive committee issued a show-cause notice to Col Singh, alleging financial misconduct, violation of federation statutes and abuse of authority. On April 11, 2025, Col Singh was suspended, pending an inquiry.

Col Singh challenged the suspension, arguing that it was imposed without approval of the high court-appointed observer and without convening the general assembly, as mandated under EFI statutes. He also pointed out that an application seeking high court permission for his removal was withdrawn by EFI office-bearers in May 2025.

Despite objections raised by the observer through emails in April 2025, the EFI’s executive committee extended Col Singh’s suspension in an August 21 meeting and appointed an interim secretary general.

Col Singh alleged that during this period, rival office-bearers changed official email credentials and opened and operated bank accounts without lawful authority.

Court’s findings

The court noted that no valid executive committee resolution approving Col Singh’s initial suspension had been placed on record and that the observer’s approval was neither sought nor obtained. It held that under the EFI statutes, a member of the executive committee could only be suspended or removed by a two-thirds majority of the general assembly.

“The role assigned to the observer cannot be undermined,” the court observed, adding that the suspension of a secretary general was a matter of “due importance” requiring adherence to court-mandated oversight.

The court clarified that its observations were prima facie in nature and would not affect the final adjudication of the suit.

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