After BCCI, Delhi cricket association rumbling against reform push

Association officials have sent a request to the Registrar of Companies to give them three months to hold elections to form a new executive committee.

Justice (retd.) Mukul Mudgal, the court-appointed observer for the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) submitted a status report to the Delhi High Court on Friday, but association officials have sent a request to the Registrar of Companies (ROC) to give them three months to hold elections to form a new executive committee that has traditionally governed the body.

Justice Mudgal has formed a seven-member committee to oversee preparations for the India-New Zealand ODI at the Ferozeshah Kotla on October 20.(Mohd Zakir/HT Photo)

The executive committee comprises 24 directors, but they have all completed their terms. The DDCA hasn’t held elections for the past three years. In the words of one of them, “we are all illegal squatters now.”

The DDCA officials’ request to the ROC goes against the Justice RM Lodha committee recommendations as it looks to perpetuate the old administrative system instead of structuring it on the lines suggested by the Supreme Court-appointed panel. The DDCA is governed under the Companies Act.

Justice Mudgal has, however, formed a seven-member committee to oversee preparations for the India-New Zealand ODI at the Ferozeshah Kotla on October 20, making former India opener Chetan Chauhan its head.

Treasurer Ravinder Manchanda, who was entrusted with financial dealings by Mudgal but was removed by senior DDCA officials as a signatory recently, says the body is cash-starved. “As of now, we have just enough to host this ODI. We also have to take care of the entire season. So, whatever revenue we will get from this game will go into running the entire season.”

The Supreme Court barred funds for state cricket bodies until they pledge to implement the reforms suggested by the Lodha panel.

Seven directors have submitted an affidavit in the Delhi high court that they are ready to abide by the recommendations while others haven’t. The other DDCA officials have filed a complaint against the seven in the High Court for acting against the interests of DDCA.

This year, DDCA has got over R11 crore from the BCCI. The sum has been on account of the World T20, IPL and domestic matches played and hosted by it.