The Delhi High Court has appointed former judge Rekha Palli as the chairperson of the All India Football Federation’s ethics and dispute resolution committee, bringing a decisive turn to the ongoing conflict involving Churchill Brothers.
The order came after Churchill sought an independent figure to ensure “impartial adjudication” in its conflict of interest complaints against All India Football Federation officials, including president Kalyan Chaubey.
“The Court deems it appropriate to appoint former judge of this Court Justice Rekha Palli to be the chairperson of the ethics and dispute resolution committee,” Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav ruled.
The development follows a series of objections raised by Churchill. The club had earlier opposed the appointment of RK Pachnanda, citing his previous role as AIFF’s integrity officer, which led the Court to direct his recusal. Another member, advocate Sudarshan Agarwal, stepped down after being flagged for “a direct” conflict of interest due to his past association as Chaubey’s counsel.
With the committee reduced to two members, it lacked the quorum required to conduct hearings. AIFF attempted to fill the vacancies by appointing new members, but those moves were challenged by Churchill.
In a letter, CEO Valanka Alemao pointed out procedural lapses, stating the appointments were made without sharing eligibility reports, allegedly violating the federation’s constitution.
The Court accepted the argument and set aside the appointments. To restore balance, it named senior advocate Akshay Makhija as a third member, ensuring the committee could function without questions of bias.
AIFF had opposed the Court’s intervention, warning it could be seen as “third-party interference” and risk sanctions from FIFA. However, Justice Kaurav dismissed the concern.
“The reconstitution of this committee is purely and only for the adjudication of the complaints…,” he said. “The same would not amount to interference in the affair of the AIFF as its internal/ad-hoc arrangements is necessary keeping in mind the submissions made by the parties.”
The Court has also directed that the matter be resolved swiftly. The committee must decide on the complaints within two months from its first hearing.
Tensions have also spilled beyond the courtroom. Alemao accused AIFF officials of misconduct, writing, “I wish to place on record the entirely disgusting behaviour of the AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President Mr N. A. Haris and Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan….I feel deeply prejudiced and I found that several attempts were made by the President to suppress my voice…”
AIFF, however, has denied the allegations and maintained that due process was followed. The federation has also countered claims, alleging that pressure was being exerted to secure Churchill’s inclusion in the top-tier league.
With the Court stepping in and a new committee structure in place, the focus now shifts to a time-bound resolution of one of Indian football’s most contentious disputes.
