India's participation in the next month's World Cup now lies in jeopardy after the much-awaited February 7 election of Hockey India was today postponed yet again because of a stay order from Rajasthan High Court.

Returning officer of the election G S Mander, who after taking legal advise directed HI to defer the election till a final decision is taken by the Court, hinted that holding the poll before the World Cup might not be possible. "It's not possible to hold the election on February 7 and I doubt it can be held before the Hockey World Cup because from now on a fresh 21-day notice has to be served to all the parties concerned. Technically speaking it is not possible to hold the election before the World Cup," Mander told PTI. "After getting the order, I consulted my legal adviser and came to the conclusion that this matter can't be solved in a day or two -- it will take time.

HI now has to appeal against the stay as par the legal procedures. That means if you go by the rules it will take time," he said. While awarding the mega event, which is scheduled for February 28-March 13 here, the game's world governing body FIH initially said a democratically elected body has to be in place or the tournament would be shifted out of India. The FIH, however, later softened its stand and said World Cup would be held in India, but the hosts would be barred from playing in it unless election is held. But the HI was hopeful of managing the crisis.