High Court issues notice to Cycling Federation of India (CFI) for suspending Cycling association of Goa  

Goa Khabar: The High Court of Bombay in Goa issued a notice to the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) in the matter involving the suspension of the newly elected body of the Cycling association of Goa (CAG) on Wednesday.

A media release issued by the Cycling association of Goa (CAG) in the city on Wednesday stated that the High Court notice to CFI was consequent to CAG approaching the High Court challenging the decision of the CFI to suspend CAG’s membership/affiliation with effect from August 17, 2026.

The CAG petition was heard by a High Court division bench comprising  Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar. The CFI has been asked to respond by Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The CAG writ petition was filed on Wednesday by its general secretary, Neeraj Gupta, challenging the CFI Communication No. CFI/GOA/Gen./2026-27/1 dated August 17, 2026.

CAG has sought urgent relief against what it describes as an action taken without prior notice, a show-cause notice or an opportunity of being heard.

According to the CAG petition, CFI has questioned the elections conducted by CAG on August 9, 2026, and has directed CAG to amend its constitution and rules to bring them in conformity with the CFI Constitution (Version 2026), the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026. The directions cited by CFI include requirements relating to district-level affiliation and a representative electoral structure.

CAG contends that its affiliation with CFI was obtained on June 27, 2026 and that the impugned communication does not specify the legal provision under which CFI exercised the power to suspend CAG’s affiliation.

A further issue raised before the Court is CFI’s direction for the formation of an interim committee to take over functions relating to athletes’ selection, participation and training. CAG contends that this would effectively replace a democratically elected body with a non-elected committee without a prior finding of illegality following due process.

Neeraj Gupta, general secretary, CAG said, “Our objective in approaching the High Court is not to obstruct the development of cycling in Goa, but to ensure that the interests of our athletes and the principles of democratic governance and natural justice are protected. We have full faith in the judicial process and hope that the matter will be resolved in the larger interest of cycling and cyclists in Goa.”