SHASHANK MEHROTRA Vs. HYDERABAD CRICKET ASSOCIATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner seeks to declare the action of the 1st respondent - Hyderabad Cricket Association imposing ban of five years vide letter dtd. 11/10/2023 on petitioner to play cricket in all formats as arbitrary and against the principles of natural justice. Consequently, a direction is sought to respondents to allow petitioner to participate in the cricket tournaments hosted by the 1st respondent - Association.

(2.) The brief case of petitioner is that he is representing the 2nd respondent - Club and also India-D team in U-19 one day challenger in 2021-22 and also India-B team in U-19 triangular series. While matter stood thus, the 1st respondent lodged a report with the Police, Uppal under Rachakonda Commissionerate who registered Crime No. 1134 of 2023 for the offences under Ss. 417, 468, 471, 474 read with Sec. 34 of IPC on 9/10/2023. In the said crime, petitioner obtained Anticipatory bail from this Court on 17/11/2023. The basis for the 1st respondent Association to suspend/impose ban on petitioner is the report given by the Commissioner of Police dtd. 7/10/2023.

(3.) The Chief Executive Officer of the 1st respondent filed counter to the Writ Petition opposing the relief sought by petitioner. It is contended that the Association is functioning under the aegis of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and it is governed by its Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, 2018. The Chief Executive Officer relied upon Rules 2 and 16 of the Rules and Regulations, 2018 which are extracted hereunder: