BCCI Ombudsman Issues Notice To Hyderabad Cricket Association Over Irregularities
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman and ethics officer, Justice Arun Mishra, has issued a notice to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) in Hyderabad. The notice follows a complaint alleging constitutional non-compliance, governance lapses, and a failure to accommodate district cricketers. The HCA has been directed to respond to the allegations within four weeks.
The complaint was initiated by Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) cricketer Gourav Sharma against BCCI India and other parties. It was supported by a petition filed by two former cricketers, who alleged major irregularities in providing fair opportunities to players. They claimed the HCA failed to comply with the BCCI constitution and the governance framework mandated by the Supreme Court and the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee.
According to the petition, the HCA adopted an "illusory and deceptive" constitutional amendment that omitted mandatory provisions of the BCCI Constitution. The Ombudsman's order specifically cited Rules 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d), which relate to the classification of members, territorial jurisdiction, eligibility criteria, sanctions, and the derecognition of grounds.
The complaint also highlighted alleged lapses in the HCA's annual disclosures to the BCCI. These mandatory submissions, which include office-bearers' details, governing body tenures, audited accounts, and balance sheets, are supposed to be submitted by November 15 each year.
Additionally, the petitioners alleged that the HCA illegally granted full membership to institutional members and recreational clubs, including the Secunderabad Club and the Fateh Maidan Club. Under BCCI rules, such organizations are restricted to associate membership status.
Following these allegations, Justice Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, ordered that the notice and a copy of the complaint be sent to the HCA Apex Council. The association must file its reply within four weeks, after which any rejoinder must be submitted within seven days.
