Inside the Supervisory Committee Chaos: When Petty Power Games Derailed Reform
MS Shanker
The tragicomedy unfolding within the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) continues to offer a lesson—not in cricket administration—but in how not to run a public institution. At the heart of this slow-motion disaster lies a web of WhatsApp messages, passive-aggressive emails, backroom groupism, and what appears to be a concerted campaign to sideline integrity in favour of manipulation and muscle.
This descent into dysfunction takes an especially disgraceful turn when examining the internal exchanges between the Supreme Court-appointed Supervisory Committee Chairman, Justice (Retd.) Nisar Ahmad Kakru, former Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Anjani Kumar, former undivided AP state DGP, and his fellow committee members: Venkatapathy Raju, former Test player, and Vanka Pratap, former Ranji and Cricket Academy Director,
Justice Kakru, by all available evidence, tried to uphold the mandate bestowed by the apex court. His detailed 23-page note lays bare a disturbing pattern: decisions made behind his back, meetings fixed and altered without intimation, and a steady campaign to portray him as disengaged.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-xii/
In October 2022, while Justice Kakru had suggested a virtual meeting, the others convened a physical meeting without his presence. Anjani Kumar casually WhatsApped him on the morning of October 12:
“Yes, Vanka and Venkatapathi Raju wanted a physical meeting, which was held on 15-10-2022 and 16-10-2022.”
Justice Kakru, still committed to procedure, agreed to a virtual meeting on October 28. But that, too, ended in confusion. A follow-up video conference, scheduled for November 3, never took place. According to Kakru’s own log:
- Nov 3, 5:10 PM: “I didn’t get any link so I sent a WhatsApp message.”
- Anjani Kumar: “There is a technical issue. We will have the VC on Tuesday.”
- Nov 29, 5:30 PM: “Been waiting for the VC. No update.”
- Anjani Kumar, 6:16 PM: “We’ll fix up some other day.”
It became evident that Justice Kakru was being deliberately kept out. On December 5, Vanka Pratap called him regarding a meeting that had never been officially scheduled. When questioned, Vanka sheepishly blamed Anjani Kumar and admitted:
“My mistake… Anjani Sir told me to ask if you’re free to take a call tomorrow.”
Kakru replied with measured frustration:
“How did you expect me to join without any official intimation or link? I am travelling and have no internet access.”
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-xi/
The Spin Machine: From Facts to Fabrication
Despite clear chronological records and WhatsApp exchanges, the misinformation campaign escalated. On December 13, Vanka Pratap emailed:
“The Committee has been waiting for your arrival in Hyderabad for a long time… We must move forward with stakeholder interaction starting December 16.”
This narrative is not just false—it’s insulting. Justice Kakru had been actively involved from September 23 to December 10. His “absence” was not dereliction—it was exclusion by design.
Disrespect by Design
That a former Chief Justice could be sidelined so systematically should alarm anyone who values institutional integrity. If someone of his stature can be treated with such contempt, what chance does an honest club secretary stand?
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-x/
This is no longer just about cricket. It’s about the steady erosion of respect for the rule, dignity, and institutional process. The moment individuals retire, even the judiciary or police force seems expendable—unless they’re aligned with the power nexus. Experience, honesty, and seniority are treated as liabilities, not assets.
Meanwhile, fresh controversy has surfaced ahead of the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) scheduled for today. A news report alleges that the HCA disbursed ₹4 crore to 136 clubs, just 24 hours before the AGM. We gather this has happened without the Secretary’s knowledge or signature, despite him being the official voucher authority.
Must: APEX-meet-mins_26-06-2025.pdf https://hycricket.org/meetings/2025-26meetings/APEX-meet-mins_26-06-2025.pdf
Who made this decision? Was the Secretary kept in the dark—or did he refuse to sign? Some clubs reportedly received the money, while others did not. Even more curiously, how did banks transfer funds without mandatory signatures?
These questions scream for attention from the State and Central agencies that deal with financial misconduct. Will they act—or remain mute spectators to this brazen plunder?
AGM: Another Farce or a Turning Point?
Will the AGM be a smooth affair? Probably not. Clubs that got their slice of the loot—meant for cricket gear, clothing, and player allowances—may choose silence. But does anyone monitor if these clubs file audited reports? Many rogue clubs even charge players to be included in teams.
Some genuine club secretaries want to speak up. They want to know:
- Why was the AGM delayed by 18 months when it must be held annually?
- What’s the status of the land lease notice that has mired HCA in further corruption?
- Why was the 5-year domicile policy decided in the last AGM reduced to 3 years by Joint Secretary Basavaraj? Does this stand legal scrutiny?
- What happened to the Gymkhana Cantonment Board notice mentioned in Point 7 of the last AGM minutes?
- Has the promised Standard Operating Procedure (Point 9) been implemented?
Broken Promises and Silent Committees
Other unresolved issues pile up:
- What became of the Oversight Committee (Harinarayan, Shivaji Yadav, Dayakar Reddy)? Has their report been submitted? Why not circulate?
- What happened to the promised action on pending criminal cases?
- Where is the anti-corruption unit?
- Why weren’t the Tournament, Advisory, Women’s, Umpires, District, and Finance Committees formed?
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-ix/
Even the tall promise of launching leagues in May and conducting 6,000 matches has proven hollow. Like last year, this season too is slipping into chaos.
It’s Time to Choose: Credibility or Cash
The rot runs deep—but it’s not irreversible. Only transparency and courage can save what’s left of Hyderabad cricket. But that requires people—especially club secretaries with a conscience—to speak up, even if it means standing alone.
Because across India, Hyderabad cricket is now not a legacy—it’s a laughing stock.
But redemption is still possible. Only if we stop turning a blind eye. (To be continued. Part XIV promises revelations you may not have imagined.)
