RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF EFI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 20.03.2025 AT BATTLE HONOURS OFFERS MESS, NEW DELHI
The meeting of the Executive Committee of the Equestrian Federation of India was held on 20.03.2025 at Battle Honors Mess 1300hrs and the same was attended by the following members: -
- 1. Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Ld. Court Appointed Observer
- 2. Col. Jagat Singh (Retd) - VP (Technical)
- 3. Col SS Ahlawat, VSM (Retd) - Member Dressage
- 4. Col. Jaiveer Singh (Retd) - Secy Gen
- 5. Mr. Harish Khokhar - VP (Fin)
- 6. Maj Gen Deep Ahlawat, VSM (Retd) - Member Eventing
- 7. Col Tarsem Singh (Retd) - Member Tent Pegging
- 8. Dr Sanjay Gupta - Member Central
- 9. Col DP Nanda - Member North
- 10. Lt Col Ashish Malik - AC
- 11. Maj Ritika Dhaiya - AC
- 12. Col MM Rahman - Jt Secy
Since the meeting was attended by nine members, the Quorum was complete. At the outset, question was raised by the Secy Gen Col Jaiveer Singh as to who shall be Chairing the meeting. On this, the attention of the EC was brought to Article 17 of the EFI Statutes which states that in the absence of the President and the VP (Admin.), the Executive Committee has to nominate the Chairperson for the meeting. It was also mentioned that in the EC meeting dated 17.08.2025, it was already decided by majority that Col. Jagat would be the acting President of the EFI until elections are conducted. It was, therefore, proposed that Col. Jagat must Chair the EC meeting. While majority of the EC members consented to the said proposal, Col. Jaiveer stated that Article 17 applies if the position of the President is vacant and the same is not the case as in the AGM held on 18.08.2024, Mr. Harish Khokhar was “elected” as the new President of EFI. This statement was vehemently opposed by other members of the EC and it was pointed out that there were only 3 agendas to be discussed in the said AGM and there was no agenda in the said AGM regarding the election of President. Further, electoral college is subjudice, no elections can be held. It was further pointed out that even the AGM was chaired by Col. Jagat and until the vote of thanks given by Col. Jagat to conclude the said AGM, there was no discussion or decision regarding election of the President. It was also pointed out that whatever happened after the closure of the AGM has no relevance and that there is a specific process for conducting elections which was not followed in the AGM. When some EC members demanded Col. Jaiveer to show the Minutes of the said AGM, he informed that the same have not been prepared and finalized till date.
In view of the above, Dr. Quraishi suggested that EC may nominate any member from the attendees to act as the Chairperson for this EC meeting. However, Col. Jaiveer and Mr. Harish Khokhar opposed the same.
With the intent to discuss the more important issues, the Acting President Col. Jagat drew the attention of the EC to the letter dated 27.12.2024 issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India to EFI whereby, it was pointed out that Col. Jaiveer continues to hold the position of Secretary General of EFI beyond the permissible period of 5 years which is violative of the instructions of DoPT with regards to holding of elected positions by serving Govt. employees. In view of this, EFI was directed to take immediate action and compliance with the said DoPT directives. It was further pointed out that this letter was received by Col. Jaiveer on behalf of EFI but was deliberately not circulated to the EC members by Col. Jaiveer. It was further informed by Col. Jagat that by a subsequent letter dated 06.02.2025 issued by the MYAS to EFI, it was intimated that MYAS will not accept any communication on behalf of EFI with the signatures of Col. Jaiveer. It was also stated by Col. Jagat Singh that as per his information, MYAS has decided to stop all funding of EFI. Thus, due to one single individual, i.e. Col. Jaiveer Singh, the entire Federation was being penalized.
In view of the above facts, the EC decided to issue a Show Cause Notice to Col. Jaiveer Singh to explain as to why he should not be immediately suspended from the Federation for his anti-federation activities.
On the above, Col. Jaiveer got upset and asked Mr. Harish Khokhar, Col Nanda and representatives of the Athletes Commission to leave the meeting. On his command, Mr. Khokhar, Col Nanda and members of the Athletes Commission left. However, Col. Jaiveer Singh did not leave the meeting and agreed to provide a written response to a Show Cause Notice to be served upon him as per the decision of the EC which was consented by Dr SY Quraishi, Ld Court appointed observer.
It was further suggested by Maj Gen Deep Ahlawat that in view of the allegations levelled against Col. Jaiveer Singh, Col. Rehman, who was elected as the Joint Secretary in the 2019 elections should be requested to resume his office and responsibility of the Joint Secretary and should be permitted to operate from the EFI office. The said suggestion was welcomed by everyone in the meeting including Dr. SY Quraishi as well as Col. Jaiveer. Col Rehman also consented to the same and agreed to act as the Joint Secretary of EFI.
Certain members raised serious issues regarding arbitrary and unilateral allotment of events to certain Clubs, arbitrary cancellation of events, preparation of Calender regarding scheduling of events without consulting VP(Tech), appointment of Jury, incurring expenditure beyond his financial powers since the powers were withdrawn by the EC held on 12th July 2024 etc. by Col. Jaiveer Singh without any approval or even discussion with the VP (Tech.) as well as the EC. In view of these allegations, the members unanimously decided to ask Col. Jaiveer Singh to also provide a written explanation on the said allegations also.
The EC members also requested Dr. SY Quraishi to appraise the Hon’ble Delhi High Court regarding the issues highlighted during the meeting by filing a Report. Dr. SY Quraishi kindly agreed to the same.
At the end of the meeting, Col. SS Ahlawat raised the issue of forensic Audit and proposed to outsource the services of L1 vendor for conducting a forensic audit of the EFI Accounts of last three financial years. The members unanimously agreed to the same. Even Dr. SY Quraishi agreed to outsource Sebi empanelled agency for conducting a forensic audit and suggested that the same must be done immediately.