Our Correspondent
Hyderabad: In a significant escalation of the ongoing governance battle in Telangana cricket, the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking immediate intervention against the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) decision to announce a “Telangana T20 Premier League.”
The TCA, which is itself pursuing legal remedies for recognition and membership with the BCCI, has termed the HCA’s Governing Council and its league proposal “void ab initio” and in blatant violation of the Supreme Court–approved BCCI Constitution.
In a formal complaint lodged on Friday, the TCA accused the HCA of overstepping its jurisdiction and operating through what it described as a “constitutionally disqualified and conflict-ridden” Governing Council. The Association has sought the scrapping of the Council and a restraint on HCA from conducting cricketing activities across Telangana beyond Hyderabad city limits, pending adjudication of ongoing court cases.
According to the TCA, the BCCI had earlier advised the HCA to confine its operations to Hyderabad’s urban limits and allow the TCA to coordinate and oversee district-level cricket in Telangana, in view of the pending legal proceedings involving both bodies. The TCA claims that despite multiple rounds of discussions, the HCA failed to adhere to this understanding.
The flashpoint came with the HCA’s announcement of a statewide Telangana T20 Premier League, which the TCA says requires mandatory approval of the HCA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) — a step it alleges was never taken.
TCA General Secretary Guruva Reddy Dharam, in an official statement, said the league proposal violates multiple provisions of the BCCI Constitution and is impermissible during the pendency of writ petitions before the Bombay High Court (WP No. 3678/2023) and the Telangana High Court (WPP No. 39837/2025).
He asserted that the entire Governing Council of the HCA stands disqualified, alleging that its members are either illegally appointed, in conflict of interest, or lacking a valid mandate.
The TCA’s representation to the BCCI lists several HCA office-bearers and Apex Council members as constitutionally ineligible:
- Basavaraj (Joint Secretary, acting as Secretary): Alleged violations of Rules 14, 15 and 28 for functioning without AGM approval and for being part of what TCA calls an invalid Apex Council. Also accused of conflict of interest under Rule 38 for holding office in a club alongside the Acting President and Interim CEO.
- Sunil Agarwal (Apex Council Member): Alleged conflict of interest under Rule 38, as his son is said to be representing the HCA Under-23 state team.
- Partha Satwalekar (Nominated Apex Council Member): Accused of being appointed without AGM or players’ association approval, and of conflict of interest due to his son’s participation in the HCA Under-19 side.
- Sanjiva Reddy (Apex Council Member): Alleged to be a litigant in cases against the HCA, which TCA claims violates principles of natural justice and Rule 38.
- Imtiaz Khan (Interim CEO): Accused of being illegally appointed under Rule 47, without AGM ratification or approval of a legally constituted Apex Council, and of conflict of interest through club affiliations.
- Agam Rao (District Representative): Alleged to have exceeded his term, with an election described as collusive, and accused of pecuniary interest in grounds proposed to host league matches.
The TCA’s complaint highlights four key violations:
- Rules 14 & 15: No AGM mandate for appointing the Governing Council.
- Rule 28: Illegal constitution of the Council with ineligible members.
- Rule 38: Multiple and direct conflicts of interest.
- Rule 47: Unlawful appointment of the Interim CEO.
The Association claims that “100 per cent of the announced Governing Council stands disqualified,” calling it a “collusive cartel with no lawful authority.”
The TCA has urged the BCCI to:
- Immediately scrap the HCA’s announced Governing Council.
- Restrain the HCA from conducting or interfering in cricketing activities across Telangana beyond Hyderabad city, pending court rulings.
- Initiate disciplinary proceedings against the HCA for repeated constitutional violations.
Warning of broader consequences, the TCA said allowing the proposed league to proceed would expose public funds, tarnish the reputation of the BCCI and IPL ecosystem, and undermine grassroots cricket in the state.
“The Supreme Court–approved BCCI Constitution admits no exception,” the TCA stated, adding that continued inaction would “irreparably damage the credibility of cricket administration in Telangana.”
The BCCI is yet to issue a response to the complaint.
