New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Wednesday rapped the central government for not complying with its order on issuing a clarification that Hockey India (HI) is a private body.
It asked the government to file its reply within three weeks with its explanation on the issue. With this, the HI elections slated for Wednesday were adjourned.

On Tuesday, the court had asked the government and HI to issue a clarification by the evening to all the sport units in the states.

But despite the court order, the sports ministry said that both the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), which was banned by Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and HI are recognised bodies.

Furious over the government’s stand, Justice S. Murlidhar said that until and unless government does not clarify its stand, HI elections cannot be held.

The court also made it clear that the elections in HI will not be allowed if the confusion persists. The court July 27 had said that IHF is the only recognised authority to run hockey in the country.

It had also asked the sports ministry and IOA to inform all the state units that HI is a private body. The court also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.