MS Shanker
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been plunged into fresh controversy after several club secretaries questioned the legality and propriety of a series of decisions taken by the current Apex Council. The criticism follows the suspension of HCA President G. R. Jaganmohan Rao, Secretary Devraj Ramachandran, and Treasurer C.J. Srinivas Rao—all arrested in connection with the ongoing CID probe into the alleged IPL ticketing scam and other irregularities.
In a series of confidential conversations with this author, multiple HCA secretaries expressed alarm over what they termed “arbitrary and illegal” decisions made by a truncated Apex Council, which is now functioning with just three active members—Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh, Joint Secretary Basavaraju, and Councillor R.S. Agarwal.
The secretaries have raised strong objections to the following decisions taken by the current Apex Council:
- Suspension of Arrested Officials: Acting President Daljit Singh convened an emergency Apex Council meeting and moved to suspend the three arrested office-bearers. However, several secretaries argue that this action violates the HCA’s bylaws, which state that an official may only be suspended following formal charges and conviction, not merely based on an arrest or preliminary investigation.
- Revocation of Earlier Suspensions: The Apex Council also revoked the suspension of two members—Roma Singh and Swaroop—who had earlier been sanctioned by the HCA’s former Ombudsman and Ethics Officer under the ‘conflict of interest’ clause. Critics argue that the current Apex Council lacks both the legal authority and procedural backing to reverse these decisions unilaterally.
- General Body Meeting Decisions: The Council allegedly barred 57 suspended club secretaries from attending a prior general body meeting. According to insiders, these suspensions themselves are being contested as illegitimate and were not carried out following due process or proper notice under the revised HCA bylaws.
- Lack of Proper Notice: Secretaries have pointed out that HCA regulations mandate a minimum of 14 days’ notice before any general body or council meeting is held, with a clear agenda circulated in advance. They allege that this requirement was bypassed in recent meetings, raising serious procedural concerns.
The controversy stems from a complaint filed by the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, which alleged that certain HCA officials demanded an additional 10% of match tickets—beyond what was contractually agreed—and even delayed access to their hospitality enclosure during one of the matches. Acting on this, the State Vigilance and Enforcement Department conducted a preliminary inquiry at the behest of the state Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, and submitted its report to the government.
Following this, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered a CID investigation, which resulted in the arrest of the three top HCA officials. While President and Secretary remain in custody, Treasurer C.J. Srinivas Rao was granted bail.
The HCA’s bylaws, aligned with the Lodha Committee reforms and adopted in part by the association, stipulate that removal or suspension of any elected official must follow a due legal process—generally involving a charge-sheet, an Ethics Officer inquiry, and conviction, if applicable. Summary suspension merely based on allegations, without judicial determination or formal inquiry, may not stand legal scrutiny.
A senior secretary, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “What is happening in the HCA is nothing short of a constitutional breakdown. Three individuals cannot run the association like a private club. The Ethics Officer’s rulings can’t be overturned without due procedure, and meetings cannot be held in violation of the bylaws.”
He added that such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent, wherein the Apex Council could suspend any official simply for raising a dissenting voice, potentially using influence over local authorities or law enforcement.
Many within the HCA believe that the situation has reached a tipping point and warrants the intervention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Some have suggested that the BCCI consider suspending financial grants to the HCA until judicial and internal inquiries are completed. Others propose the appointment of a temporary administrative panel—consisting of former cricketers, legal experts, or independent professionals with impeccable credentials—to restore governance integrity.
“This is not just about corruption anymore; it’s about the credibility of cricket administration in Telangana,” said another official. “If this mess continues unchecked, it will hurt the image of the game and the state.”
The broader context of the crisis includes allegations of nepotism, financial irregularities, and improper club ownership by sitting officials. The Ethics Officer’s earlier reports had identified multiple Apex Council members with vested interests, including ownership links to clubs, prohibited under existing conflict-of-interest rules.
Despite mounting pressure and legal ambiguity, the current leadership appears intent on retaining control. However, sources close to the developments caution that such actions may ultimately be challenged in court or quashed by independent oversight mechanisms.
