Vinay Rao
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), while simultaneously expanding the powers of a single-member committee headed by Justice P. Naveen Rao to oversee the association’s affairs.
In an order dated April 24, 2026, Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka instructed the Crime Branch-CID, Telangana, to constitute an SIT led by a senior IPS officer to investigate administrative, financial, and governance-related lapses within the HCA. The SIT has been tasked with examining past reports, gathering evidence, and probing the extent of irregularities over the years.
The court also continued and strengthened the role of Justice P. Naveen Rao, who has been functioning as a single-member committee overseeing HCA operations. The court granted him wide-ranging authority over cricket administration, governance, and financial decisions within the association. His decisions will be binding on the HCA’s Apex Council, subject to the supervision of the High Court.
Background of Irregularities
The HCA has faced allegations of mismanagement and irregularities for over a decade. A forensic review conducted by Ernst & Young in 2015 had flagged financial discrepancies. Subsequently, in 2017, court-appointed administrators Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice G.V. Seethapathy reported lapses in financial discipline, governance, and documentation.
Further attempts at reform were undertaken in 2022 under a committee led by Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru. However, court records indicate internal disruptions during the committee’s functioning, including allegations of interference in its operations.
By 2025, multiple criminal cases, arrests, and enforcement actions had emerged in connection with the association, even as concerns over governance persisted.
Key Concerns Identified
The High Court, in its observations, highlighted several issues affecting the functioning of the HCA. These include delays in appointing coaches, arbitrary changes in selection committees, lack of transparency in player selection processes, non-payment of pensions despite availability of funds, and missing or untraceable records.
The court also noted broader systemic concerns, including the alleged role of intermediaries and informal networks influencing cricketing opportunities. It observed that such practices may have impacted fairness and transparency in team selection and league operations.
Suo Motu Contempt Proceedings
In a significant development, the High Court initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the Joint Secretary and Treasurer of the HCA. The court noted that contempt jurisdiction is invoked in cases where there is a prima facie indication of non-compliance or violation of court orders.
The proceedings are expected to examine whether directions issued by the court in earlier instances were adhered to by the office bearers concerned.
Administrative Measures Ordered
The court outlined a series of measures aimed at restoring governance within the HCA:
- Constitution of an SIT under the CID to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all irregularities
- Continuation of Justice Naveen Rao as the single-member committee with enhanced powers over administration, finance, and cricket operations
- Requirement that all decisions of the HCA’s Apex Council receive prior approval from the committee
- Initiation of contempt proceedings against key office bearers
Performance Under Court Oversight
During the period of court-monitored administration, the committee headed by Justice Naveen Rao oversaw the conduct of over 1,500 matches across various levels. The association also recorded two national tournament victories during this period, alongside the implementation of league operations with increased transparency.
The High Court noted that these outcomes were achieved despite challenges and resistance, and observed that further improvements could be expected with full administrative autonomy.
Next Steps
The SIT is expected to commence its investigation shortly and submit findings based on examination of records, past reports, and evidence collected. The continuation of court-monitored governance is intended to ensure that administrative processes within the HCA function in accordance with established norms and regulations.
The High Court’s order marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to address long-standing concerns related to governance and accountability within the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
