Controversy increases in AITA: Interim President Chintan Parikh raised questions on the impartiality of Administrator Geeta Mittal, also raised objection on financial expenses.

New Delhi: There has been a new twist in the ongoing tussle within the Indian tennis administration. All India Tennis Association (AITA) interim president Chintan Parikh has questioned the impartiality of court-appointed administrator Justice (retd) Geeta Mittal, accusing her of gross financial irregularities and procedural biases, putting the sports body at risk of bankruptcy. His statement came ahead of the important specially convened general meeting (EGM) to be held on Sunday. The objective of this meeting is to approve comprehensive constitutional reforms to make the association compliant with the National Sports Administration Act, 2025.

Monitoring system was made after the order of Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on April 27, 2026, had allowed the results of the 2024 AITA elections to be retained as a temporary arrangement but kept the executive committee under the close supervision of Justice Mittal so that he can play a key role in the process of making changes and rewriting the rules.

Questions raised on fairness

Parikh, however, argued that the administrator was deliberately dragging out a legal case that was already over. He said that the Administrator is working closely with the counsel for the petitioners, thereby compromising the expected impartiality of this post.

Parikh said, “AITA is an autonomous organization. It will pass appropriate amendments to the Act and take into account all stakeholders. She keeps the petitioners’ lawyers present and keeps them informed about everything. In fact, the petition has already been disposed of by the court order dated April 27, 2026. Questions are being raised on the impartiality of the administrator.

Objections also expressed regarding expenses

Parikh strongly criticized the ‘exorbitant costs’ associated with the team selected by the administrator, revealing that four external observers were being brought in for a hefty fee of Rs 12 lakh per day for the EGM to be held on Sunday. “You can understand what she is going through,” he said. Supervisors are being given Rs 12 lakh per day. He has asked for an additional Rs 11 lakh for his ‘experts’ to suggest changes. He has suggested so many changes which are against the Act and provisions and are irrational.”

The controversy began with a legal petition filed by former players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja regarding the rules being followed and voting structures. The Interim President drew a clear contrast between the current administration’s costly approach and the extremely cost-effective and credible options available to the union. He cited the interest of senior judicial and international tennis figures in assisting the organization, who were willing to work at very little expense.

Parikh said, “Retired Chief Justice Desai as an independent observer is much more respectable than the observers who have prepared a ‘draft’ on his (administrator’s) suggestions. They cannot be neutral.” He said, ”The court order does not give them the right to appoint observers at such a high expense.

Expressed concern over financial burden

Justice Desai will charge only Rs 1 lakh for the entire day, while his supervisor is charging Rs 12 lakh.” Detailing the rising expenses, Parikh warned that this wastage of money could permanently cripple a federation that works on limited resources to help local players. “He and his assistant take Rs 11 lakh per month from AITA,” he said. By the end of September this amount will reach Rs 55 lakh. Apart from this, he has asked for Rs 11 lakh for his experts and Rs 12 lakh for his supervisors. Overall this amount becomes Rs 78 lakh.

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