New Delhi: Cricket associations should be led by retired cricketers rather than individuals who “do not even know how to handle a bat”, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, while expressing displeasure over the management of sports bodies by non-experts.
The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court order that stayed the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections, originally scheduled for January 6, citing allegations of “nepotism and favouritism”.
Petitions against the High Court order were moved before the Supreme Court, including one by the MCA.
The CJI questioned the sudden surge in the MCA’s membership, as reported by the Deccan Herald. The bench pointed to the records and noted that the association had 164 members between 1986 and 2023, but saw a massive influx of new members immediately thereafter.
“From 1986 to 2023, you had 164 members, and from 2023 onwards, you made a bumper draw?” the CJI asked.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who represented the petitioners, including the MCA and NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, submitted that a committee headed by a retired judge had overseen the process, rejecting 48 members while inducing others.
The Charity Commissioner had appointed an administrator without consulting the cabinet, he added.
The CJI, however, emphasized that if the association wanted to expand its membership to 300, those slots should have been reserved for renowned, retired international players.
“This is one country where outstanding cricketers are there; those who have retired were the best in line,” the CJI said.
“Who are you bringing? Those who do not even know the game… do not even know how to handle a bat. Don’t make us express our sentiments too much on what is happening,” he said.
Sports associations exist because of the athletes, not the administrators, the CJI observed.
“Cricket is not because of (the authorities), it is because of the cricketers. The hockey association is known because of the hockey players. At least this much respect should be given to them,” he added.
It was former Indian cricketer and BJP leader Kedar Jadhav who had approached the Bombay High Court. In his petition, Jadhav had alleged that the voter list was being “rigged” by the sudden addition of nearly 401 members.
Many of the new inductees are close relatives or business associates of NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, Jadhav had alleged.
The SC allowed the petitioners to withdraw their pleas and directed them to raise all contentions before the Bombay High Court, which is scheduled to hear the matter on Wednesday.
“The High Court will consider the contentions and is requested to decide the matter expeditiously,” the bench ordered.
