M A I N   N E W S

Former SC Judge to be observer at BCCI poll

Kolkata, September 21
The Calcutta High Court today appointed Suhash Chandra Sen, a former Supreme Court judge, as an observer to ensure that tomorrow’s BCCI elections are held in a free and fair manner.

Giving the order, Mr Justice Soumitra Sen directed that the observer shall have the authority to decide at the floor of the meeting in case of any dispute in the course of the election process.

The order came in the wake of a petition filed by Kalighat Club, an affiliated member of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which sought the appointment of an observer for attending the Annual General Meeting to be held on September 22 and 23 so that the election at the meeting is held in a free and fair manner.

Appearing for the club, counsel Hirak Mitra claimed that there was every possibility of malpractice in the election process.

Mr Justice Sen observed that the problem was precipitated by the absence of specific and clear election rules.

He further observed that the primary dispute that is likely to take place is with regard to eligibility criteria of representatives of the associations who are going to cast their votes.

Bharti Cricket Club submitted that a proceeding has been initiated at Madras High Court for appointment of a chairman of the said meeting and sought adjournment of proceedings at the court here till the result of the said application.

Mr Justice Sen, however, observed “since the meeting is going to commence tomorrow, I am not inclined to adjourn this proceeding any further.”

He said no prejudice would be caused to anyone if an observer is appointed to oversee the election process to ensure that it is held in a free and fair manner.

He further observed that in the absence of established procedure or rules for holding such an election, it gives rise to speculation and manipulation of established conventions which are not codified.

The matter will come up for further hearing on September 27.

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday restrained the BCCI from conducting the elections at its 76th annual general meeting in Kolkata till 12.30 pm on Thursday.

Mr Justice M. Thanickachalam gave this interim order on a civil suit filed by Netaji Cricket Club, seeking appointment of a neutral person to conduct the elections and to decide the eligibility of the voters and the contestants.

Reserving his order, the Judge said he would pronounce his verdict at 11 am on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant immediate hearing to former cricket administrator Kishore Rungta’s writ petition seeking to restrain any representative of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) to participate in the BCCI elections on Thursday.

Rungta’s counsel made a special mention of filing of the petition before a Bench of Ms Justice Ruma Pal and Mr Justice P.P. Naolekar, pleading for urgent hearing in view of the elections to the cricket board.

The court, however, did not agree with the counsel and said the petition would be taken up in the due course of the court proceedings.

Rungta, who lost the February elections to the RCA, sought to restrain the state cricket association from participating in Thursday’s board elections on the ground that the matter was pending before the court.

BCCI President Ranbir Singh Mahindra is seeking re-election in Thursday’s elections, which will also elect a new executive body and office bearers. — PTI, TNS