✦ High Court of India · 28 Jun 2025

The High Court · 2025

Case Details High Court of India · 28 Jun 2025

Court

High Court of India

Decided

28 Jun 2025

Bench

NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA

Length

7,550 words

Acts & Sections

BCCI is a Society formed under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975 Code of Civil Procedure Right to Information Act 2005

Mr. G' AditYa Goud' submitted that subject matter bY this learned counsel for the petitioner' ely covered of this writ Petition is squar Court in W'P' No'34978 of by the order Passed not disPuted bY Mr' N' m.04.2025 and the same is learned Standing Counsel for resPondents No'3 and 4' 2024 dated Gangadhar,

2. Therefore' recording aforesaid submisston of the learned following the order passed by this Court tn in terms thereof' this writ be made Part of the record to this order' No order as to counsel for the Petitioner' W.P. No.3497 8 of 2024 dated 03'04 2025' petition is allowed' The said order shall and a copy of the same shall be annexed COStS. As a sequel thereto' miscellaneous applications, if anY, Pending in this writ Petition shall stand closed //TRUE COPY// SD/- T.TIRUMALA DEVI DEPUTY RE Gls SECTION OFFICER \ To, ---_r::]_

2. 3 4 The Principal Secretary' Sports Department' TS Secretariat Building' iik!d;d',,'rn',',:'"".Txi'Jib?'r'ililrli!:h1?!'li:i,f .'*lllll; jil#":':;"il- t#n[:+*-i*,lfli**ijrun -.t

5. The Commis;sinn-. r. . ifl y"[#*i:g.: r r%,":'Si f ,f"%X?:.#n icipa r co rp o ra ri o n, ( ) c c o mp rex , A:","1..:,x,iJi;;iJ'nr.;-", r rvuergDad city porr e. i;J ""'o,SRl (; AD , lJl"l,r:q*,,,'', " ; j[:""6pi.$-dp'roR uorr,,e, Hish court ror, ll B::::.. in'i l, lii) ; i pff 3s fx;,: l, BM ,ftir.,"{H; ;,, re a ns a na a'f *11ffi?!+lfrr*1; state or r:ransana m i s s oI'era te Road f},,p^i, ..m ;, : ^.,'[0ffi (Annex the photocop.r of the r: rder in W.p.No . 34978 of 2024,datcd 0:!.04.2(/2s i " a.: E.;.' .....'..'..-.i I A4 t -.,-f f, ;$ \ HIGH COURT NBK,J DATED:28 tOStZO2s \ I VACATI.ON COURT I I ORDER WP.No.1S417 of 2O2S E ljtA ) ..i :.\ . 1H o j o2,li, ?l:, :,- i \.. _\\:=-- , --'- ALLOWING THF. WRIT PETITION WITHOUT C;OSTS q ff- (z -\ HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAXA WRIT PETITION No. 34978()F 2024 OR D ER: SriPathi Rao, learned Senior Heard Sri P' Raja Nishitha, learned counsel for Counsel on behalf of Ms B' petitloner , Sri S. Ashok Anand Kumar' learned Senior Counsel on behalf of HCA and Sri C Damodar ReddY, iearned Senior Counsel on behalf of Sri S' Abhaya Kumar Sagar' Standing Counsel BCCI learned 2 Petitioner is before this Court to declare the ban imposed on him for two years, effective from 04 'll 2024 to preventing him to play the toumaments 03.1L.2026 and conducted by Respondents 2 and 3 as illegal and violation of his rights. It is the case of Petitioner that he is highiy-skilled 3. and playing cricket for nearly a decade, with outstanding credentials, diligence, and accomplishments in various state and national-level tournaments. In 2021, he was registered with the 2"d respondent - BCCI vide \D No.18774, in full complialce with their guidelines and regulations and since then, he played for various tournaments representing the State of Telangana; in 2 october 2ro24, he was the captain of Hyderabad team for tJnder_ 19 for thc to rrnament Vinoo Mankad Trophy __reld :rt Mohali. The grict ance of petitioner is that Respondents 2 arLcl 3 have arbitrarilv inrltosed a two_year ban and the sa mc is communicated uide e mail dated 14.1 7.2024 to ,etilioner,s address tchiragvalid l23qagmail. com). The aclion th,: 2nd respondenr, is i rrpugned in this Writ petition. 4' The contention of petitioner is that without ir,suing any formaj noti:e or conducting a fair inquiry and in violation of principles cf ne tural justice, respondents imposed 1,ar and there is no oppo'tunity given to him to present h*; defenc: and to be hear,l d<::;pite sending multiple e mails :_equestr:rg to furnish a copy ,)' report of the police based on which lrar was imposed. Ar:corcltng to petitioner, imposing ban is a rtnilz teral decision ancl v iolates his rights and undermin es the very essence of fairness and transparency in administrative ia.c:r:ir ns.

5. In rhe e mail datcd 74.11.2024 addrcsse 1 to petitioner by' thc liecretary of the 3.d respondent - Associriti,)n, it is informed tha. enquiry was initiated by the f,-t respor dent With the 6tll resl)'lndent to verify the documentation subrr itted by Petitioner wi''ll the 3'd respondent and based orL tkre r'rn lings ',/ 3 of the said investigation' the 3'd respondent submitted report to BCCI for apPropnate action as per their guidelines' which consequently, imposed ban on petitioner for submitting fake document effective from 04'11'2024 till 03'11'2O26 in ali ior..r.*."" and after completion of ban period' petitioner would be eligible to participate in senior men's tournaments' Petitioner relies upon the guidelines issued by the 6. 2.d respondent. Guideline No' a (iii) explicitly mentioned that players who were registered on line by Association concerned in any of the seasons from 2O18-19 to 2023-24 ' need not register again using the "common form"' Petitioner being a registered player since 2[21-22season is under the category of "Registered Players" as defined by the guidelines of the 2"d respondent' Thereby there is no necessity for petitioner to undergo any fresh registration process for the subsequent seasons' However' he had provided a1l the relevant documents to substantiate the same showing his existing registration as Player lD: 18774' Guideline No- 4 is extracted hereunder:- d 4 online Registration of fresh and Registered player (men & women) (or 2024-25 season As vou are aware that the season 2}:.f'-lg is the benchmark for alt pl"ytt who is registered 2ola-19 olavers regislrall"n otttooJt'"I'itit"ttiltt' " nnline bv the concerned o"";;; d;titg iht ""^"ot' 1 'tommon -form:" t;" "=: ,r. K.q,s.erFo pra.vcrs -...'fl'n't u.ill r.rot have to fill this common form for the subsc,ru( nt cricket .seas ).rs. ii. Fresh plavers are thost s-asi,,r jor8. le ;rprl-?;'"rljo'.j,...i^.j,'1.],,r::c,i ,rI ne in rhe :,'",1 ,i:#f3;';y*:':"1';:;;?;;o KL.1i;,#'2 't or zo)s- ".o-.or,-i.]il"\ /Jtron lo rc1 isler only ,;cason 2ol8-ie, ;ri!:;; ti?l2.;"1,1'rLl[,lEl,,*;:e<] ,,nr ne in the i i.1.'.,.i1 "''t a z oz i ;ili'I]'' #"iffi;d,f, i""'gl1,l- "r,. "ii, " "r"s plavers sc,ncr ''r ,o pu.ti"ir"ll -024 ) \25. ....p-tc in thc BCCI ."".r".., ir"",i,.,]l ..;ij;",;t ,pro", I?J,::JL;; l: a\:,,c,, ion ro onli rc It, pi.rrrarron,. J iv. Horr',.,r er.. , r,erv year it ,, ,,- ,,trerinri lFler in rhat *;.t;"-;;::;li{ers v. Horvev.r. -,.,y ,..i'i,*',^"pectltc "ni_J ii,,1,: L;#,"33ffi i in J lI, J,: ;&:,"8;Tij iil:$:I: Jl.: ",lon bHj;t.,I;f ,i:/iil,:i ,,,,,o,,a,n J,:;,,,"j ers ()nlr,e R,grsrrrrion a c('v,'rine /etrer 1p 11.,r1 .";;;"-;;::- ol z i :,xi,:""11..,,* ;;; ;,"; :;: l:t*, tttt *"'!ill"illr,o:i,,,,ii,,'ii'J tiJli,'l',,f l; ;1': t"n lheir plaler id avai'.r rt" ;,., ,[] n< r i, ,,r" [.ir-,. "J::i vr. All lresh ) aycrs who havc x^-- granted Noc t,) ptal. fo - lurr ,q",,n"tu,i ,; l] ;;"jil: s e e son r n L,s t,,," ..gi"[.iJ #,ff : fr]: i"f :. j["":il [ilj t; ", :". 'Ihe last_minute ban imposed on petiti:nei.nol only loider/ag. groro, , tn _bcen ;"1:t ;1" jlti, ... Iacks legal Lrasis 5ut also disturbs his focus and commltr€nt the sport, and zL, unnecessary obstacre was forwarded ir the name of "verillcat on" by the 3.d respondent which is marre with a motive to side line promising players who ha,ue cliligr ntly adhered to ttre As s;ociation,s established requiremen.:s. 7 . prior to verihcation of documents of petitione r in 2024 , 1l11ouSlh C ommissioner of police, HyderabaC, th,: .,6ry officer in 202.3 had condllctecl another enquiry on the reqr-tes t of the 3td resl ondt nt into the documents of pctitioner on 5 3O.Og .2023 . Petitioner cooperated with the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad by submitting all the requisite documents and on O7.1O.2O23, an official report issued uide lettet No' SB- HYD I 42441V4 I 2023 confirming the genuineness of all the Petitioner's documents and in the said letter, it was explicitly stated that all documents are genuine. As against the said report inviting a second verilication in 2024 by the 3'd respondent is with a malo fide intention and is by design'

8. Petitioner refused to share Aadhar OTP verihcation with the 3'd respondent and even other-wise, the demand of the 3'd respondent seeking Aadhar OTP verification is against the guidelines of BCCI so also the Ruies and Regulations of the Respondent No.3. It needs to be considered from the guidelines of the 2"d respondent and the Rule and Regulations of the 3'd respondent as to whether both the Associations are empowered to demand Aadhar OTP verif-rcation pass-codes from the Players enabling them register with BCCI. It is also needed to be considered as to the consequences that fa1l upon in the event of players refusing to share Aadhar OTP verification with the State Association and also the 2"d respondent. The second enquiry that is initiated by the 3'd respondent - Association on 6 27 .O9 .2024 is initiated into the alleged discr.ep anc_v of petitioner's Eijrth Certificate along with certain other LJ_ [!) rnsn,5 players regis t,:re d for Vinoo Mankad Trophy. In th,: sra d letter, the 3'd .espo :': dent explicitry acknowredged that the o ffi ;e of the Commiss.ioner of police, Hyderabad had earlier re.:ilied and cleared the trrrth certificate of petitioner as o.-iginal z ncl had confirmerl its authenticity. However, desptte this official clearance, thr: 3.d respondent had imputed pe:ltionor that he was not <:oop:rating in disclosing his Aadhar Fliston, claiming that such ,lisclosure is a mandatory require.lc nt. lor participatron ir the tournaments conducted by ITCCI an 1 State Associations. ln fact, there is no such mandatory reqltir )ments for sharit--.g Aa dhar OTp verification password witlL t hat of Respondent No 3's Association for registration c f a play sr ard of player in the tournaments conduc ed bv and 3. More so, when there arc st.itutory are reflecting the details of datc of b rth of for participation ResponderLts 12 documents, thar Petitioner.

9. TL t, letter dated 27 .O9 -2024 issued b v- t re 4rh respondenl is extracted hereunder: 1 'specifically,withregardtoSNoT'ChiragYadav'itshould benotedthat,followingcomplaintslastyear,werequestedyourofficeto verify the authenticity of his birth certificate h 2023 ' Your ofhce had cleared it as original [a copy of the letter is enclosed) However' as the player is not cooperating in disclosing his Aadhar history' which is a mandatory requirement for BCCI registration' we suspect that his birth certiltcate might be fake and request a re-verification of his birth certihcate. Given that the team is scheduled to travel on 01-1O 2O24' we kindly request you to expedite this enquiry al lhe earliest ' Responding to the requisition given by the 4th respondent, the 6th respondent caused an enquiry and report dated O4.1 1.2024 is submitted to the 4th respondent' The relevant portion is extracted hereunder: " Chirag Yadav' S/o Pradeep Yadav r/o H No l l-5-553' Red Hills, Nampally, Hyderabad has only one birth certificate and verihed withallrecordsofGHMC,Hospitalandschool'Asperthebirth certiEcate vide Reg' No- 544' dt: 08 11-2005 the DOB is 11-10-2005' However, it is reveated that' the tamily migrated from North India to Hyderabad.ThecandidatelatheriSnotprovidinganyhistoryofhisstay nor any suPportive documents about their marriage nor any proof of job or employment' Further his career details tike his previous play history are not disclosed The candidate's father is non-cooperative and bluntly refused to provide any further documents in support of his claim His claimofdateofbirthll.IO-2005ishighlysuspiciousandappearstobe fake." The contents of the report mentioned supra are 10 inconclusive and no dehnite opinion and decision can be drawn when the report itself clearly states that date of birth of T 8 ,'., PetitiorLer ir, I I1 1O.20O5 is suspicious and appears 1o re: fake, is not a lcfir ite and conciusive finding given by 1l_re trnquiry Officer. And acting upon the said inconclusi.r ""usr"rc and ndefinite report, Iresplnclents 2 anrj a,*:^^ and 3 imposed the imptrgn.c, birn which is per ..;e irir:gar and would defeat the rights cf p,)titioner. Furtherntore. petitioner had repeatedly sought l,rr sha ril19 6f 166 report o1- tJte rlrtr lgsp6ndent, but there is comple.:e srlenc: on the part of Respo. dents 2 and 3 and no explanatio._r of u,h; 1f 56eysr nature is grven by both the Respondents 2 and 3ior not ;1121ir,* the report of th: 6rh respondent. l l orr 07. 1o.2o23, the 6tr, responder documents, of petitioner and declared them tt However, on a second enquiry on 27.09.2024, it t reporl th;rt p1.1i1i6n6r is not cooperating, is substance and t re report of the Commissioner is as to when, whr:-6 znd how petitioner was and asked for n ecessary information and t ver ifir:d the r be ge nuine. contacted bv. l)olice s noted in the witlto u l any totall.r;ilent there was zt non_ cooperative :tpprcach by petitioner. The report of Crmntisst oner of Police is totall/ silent and on the face of the record, the said report is not definite and conclusive and basing on such report, the action taken by Respondents 2 and 3 in impo:;ing lrar on 9 petitioner cannot be sustained and furthermore, it is very clear that he is having oniy one birth certificate and there is no second birth certificate and no details of any other date of birth other than the one that is registered with the authorities are there. Under these circumstances, it is surprising to see how the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad came to a conclusion that birth certificate of petitioner is fake.

12. The communication of imposing ban on

14.11.2024 by the 3.d respondent - Association through his Secretary, in the middle of the night at 12:43 AM, demonstrates the hyper-activeness of the 3'd respondent in putting petitioner under pressure and who had to reply to the said e mail on

14.11.2024 at 2:38AM which was made after making repeated efforts for sharing the information by the Respondents basing on which the ban was imposed and the non-responsiveness of the 3.d respondent in furnishing necessary information as sought by petitioner uide e mail dated 08.71.2024 and

14.11.2024 speaks the approach of the 3.d respondent towards the players, thereby leaving petitioner to invoke the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Even the said Applications ended in refusal by the Rrblic Information Ofhcer of l0 Respondcnt:; 2 and 3 _ Association. Thus, thert: is :rgrp2 rent lack of trans.::rre rcy and failure on the part of Restrrondents 12 and 3 and the said tLcts on their part are arbitrary anct untair. i3. f.s per ciause 10(i) of the 2nd responde nr gridelines for the seaso 1 2024_25, specific documents vr'ere oul lined as mandatorv fr,r' pr^r"." of U-r 9 and u-23 categories ro . on rine registration troccss; they are Original Birth CertificaLte School Passing/.-eav ing Certificate, pAN Card, Cancelled Che r1l e and if applicabl:, th: GST Certificate. For address proot, tl_re gu idelines provide :r ctr,rice among several documents narr er., Valid Passport Vote r ID/Aadhar. From the said gldeh:re r, it is apparent ihat lradhar Card is not a mandatory rr:qui:enrnt and is listed asi ono among several acceptable documents ft,r proof of residence and address verification alone. Clatrse lO of the guidelines is e>t racted hereunder: " Forrn 1O. I)ocuments to Upload Online along with the Rcgisjti arion For trnder I 9 (boys & girls) & under_23 (boys & girls, fresh pta yers following dc.ur.cnts must be uploaded along with the regjstration f )rm. Under t9 (r)ys & girls,) a. Scar.rned c( J,-\r oI original birth certificate (Mandatory) b. Scannecl cct1, ot original School passing/leaving certificatt: (Man,lat oryl c. Scannecl copv of original pAN card (Mandatory) t1 d Scanned coPy of origina-l Address Proofviz Valid Passport /voters lD/Aadhaar Card e- Scanned copy of Cancelled Cheque (Mandatory) f. Scanned copy of GST Registration Certificate (if apphcable) ii. under-23 (boYs' & girls') Scanned copy of original birth certificate (Mandatory) B. Scanned copy of original PAN cord (Mandatory) C. Scanned copy of original Address Proof (Mandatory) viz d Valid Passport/Voters ID/Aadhaar Card E. Scanned copy of GST Registration Certificate (if Scanned copy of Cancelled Cheque (Mandatory) applicable) For senior players (men & women) following documents should be uploaded along with the registration form' a Iii. Senior (boYs & girlsJ A. Scanned copy of original birth certincate OR A. Scanned copy of Education OR Empioyment OR Residential proof as per BCCI rules B- Scanned copy of original PAN card (Mandatory) C. Scanned copy of original Address Proof (Mandatory) viz Vatrd PassPort/Voters ID /Aadhaar Card D. Scanned copy of Cancelled Cheque (Mandatory) E. Scanned copy of GST Registration Certifrcate (if applicable)" The 2^d respondent filed counter contending that 14. BCCI is a Society formed under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 for promotion and development in India' And BCCI guided by its Memorandum of Association ald Rules i l \ T2 - and Regulaticns as approved by the Honble S.rprente Court of India, datr:d t9.08.2O18. Rule 2(a) of the BCCI Co ns trru tion lays down on,: of rhe core principles and objectives o.tsCCl t) ensure integritl. of tlLr: game of cricket in India Rule 2(:) ernro.vers the BCCI to lacklc various issues of discrimination ;trevailir g in the game o1'c:rick:t and one of them is age fraud and alt ihrough, it .is the responr; bility of BCCI to ensure that ali its trlrtrr aments are conducterl in a fair environment and no undue ad rzrntage can be taker by any player. BCCI ulde Circular dated 31.O7.2o2o )r:aring No. BCCI/He/34(M2l/1787 /2O2O,. to eradicate age fi.aud in cricket, introduced one_titne rn:ar;ure ie. t isclosure Scheme,, by which playr:rs were "Volunta n. tc reveal their actual date of birih belbr e 15rh 2O2O. ll the players did so, they w,oukl 1ot be banned zrr cl shrll be allowed to participate in the appr,rpriate encouraged Septembe r age group tourlaments of BCCI and failure to do so rvill impose ban on plzL1'er for two years and post-completiotr of 1,xro years ban periorl, plal ers will not be allowed to participate in t te age group tournancnts of both the BCCI and State ( ricket Associatio:.t. It is the further case of BCCI that player-s wishing to particil>ate i r the age group tournaments musit rt rgister l3 himself with the relevant State Cricket Association and required to undergo a TW-3 bone test and shall submit relevant age proof documents with the State Associations lt is the primary responsibility of verifying the age group related documents by the players is that of the State Cricket Association' thereby State Cricket Association must ensure that no tampered or fake Birth Certificate by players' Basing on the police investigation is banned from participating in BCCI report, Petitioner tournaments for a period of 2 years' The 3'd resPondent frled a separate counter 1 5. opposing the Writ Petition contending that on 30'09'2023 the 4th respondent addressed a letter to the 6th respondent to verify the genuineness of the certihcates of candidates selected for under-lgcricketteamofthe3.drespondent.Accordingly,report was submitted by the 6th respondent to the 4th respondent with a finding that birth certihcate of petitioner is not genuine and that the documents viz' Birth and SSC certificates pertain to Cyberabad Police Commissionerate, but other certificates such aslntermediateCertificate,PanCard'Bankdetailsand Passport are genuine and that UIDAI had refused to give t4 genulnenesri report in respect of the Aadhaar Cat.d of the Petitioner arrrl 56 4l"o that of the others. 16. Further case of the 3.d respondent is tlat, Birth Certificatc d:r,ecl 25.O1.2023 issued by Circle No.lii of ]HMC is at vari:rnce rvith that of the Birth Certificar,e of pr:titioner, therefore, thc date of birth of petitioner ie. 11.IO.20OS.s highly suspiciou,s arul appears to be fake. They categoricallv a dmitted that in the report dated 04. 1 1 .2024, the grr, resl )ondent submitteo rhat petitioner is having only one birtt certrfic rte and the said submi ;sior_r is made in the report after verifyi ng all the records oi GI{MC, Hospital and School and date ol birth men oned is 1 1.10.20O5. petitioner is not enti ecl to aj1.y notice for condur:trng enquiry under Clause 16 of the Circular dated Oq .OB .2O2.+ iss u ecl by the 2,,a respondent. Resyronclcnt No.2 contends tirat orovisions of Right to Information Ac1 i i not applicable 1o the rn. 17. Similar to the other Writ petitions l\to. il:19!,7 of 2024 and ,3a349 f 2023, the genesis of lls is the reqursition of the 4th respcnde:rt given to the 6rh respondent uide letter_ d ated 27 .O9.2024 and the report of the 6th respondent d lted 07.70.2023. For acljudication of this fts, it is necessan, to l5 Consid.ertherulesandregrrlationsofthe3rdrespondent.The relevant rules and regulations are extracted hereunder: "1. (A) DEFINtTtoN c. "APEX COUNCIL" is the principal body of the HCA tasked with its governance as set out in Rule '14' e. "HCA' means 'The Hyderabad Circket Association" in Telangana Regd under the A.P.(TA) Public soli"ti"" ntgi"tration Act'.19.s0 I":t: S:'- -1,.:: 1350 Fasli) bearing Registration No 20' 1961 "CEO" is the Chief Executrve "ii,*t w.'PLAYER'is any Cricketer Past or present registered with HCA or any of its Members as a player "ta "iJt lnctude any person selected in ar-ry squad to reDresent HCA in a tt"t ni^itf'' ODI toui match' Twenty/2O or Junior bv HCA / BCCI in relangana' ;:J:ffi;i lndia or Abroad." .CHAPTER-IV GOVERNANCE il;;;h';;""v t'r^tlr' "o"a'ct'd by the Apex council as set out in Rute 23 "cAlppolnted .i iir. 14, THE APEX COUNCIL

1. There sha1l be an Apex Council for the HCA which shall be primarily of whom S shall be of-9 2. The Apex Co"'tif 4 shall be: nule 6 and the A. One to Ut tr"tita by tire Full Members of the HCA from among .."fo.r"iUt" for the governance of the affairs of the HCA' "n^fi'"o^prise the elected orrr.. e.*;^ ^"'fer -Coulgillors -remaining their rePresentatises; "-."g", b. Two, one male and one female' to be nominated-by the Players Association those of its members who hail from Telangana; i-- c. One to be nominated by the Comptroller arld Auditor General of Telangana f"tttlot'"ries of the C&AG's office' co- from among the serving "trtlot terminus with the nominee's tenure; " 15, POWERS AN; FUNCTIONS OF THE APEX COUNCIL l.TheaffairsoftheHcAShallbegovernedbytheApexCouncilandits framework of governance shall: iv, Ensure a distribution and balance of authority so that no single individual has unfettered Powers

2. The Apex Council shall have alt the powers of the General Body and authoiity and discretion to do all acts and things except such acts as by these rules are expressly directed or required to be done by the G-eneral Body. Exercise of such powers, authorities and discretion l6 i:Hii ; ll,::il:,:::J"T,'filTg rery,.,,on or he r,.,r.r,, Body ''y lnvaJrdale any a. ol rh, A:sx eqll \,.rr lr ! rs u, n"* i". ,If ia." No ; il "r..o.jur,.".;,;i., ";;.;;;#T i:. ll: .io'^ r ourrcil shatl excrcrse superinrendence o (.rrcker (rornrn r."r.s. and rhc_Srandins.;;;;;;J. i;;,,:r:1., i;;..?.,.,j: <rurre.s petrerallr and in parlicula., in ;i::x'il' ?l.li;" 3,.[.lli,,??11r:z:*lLi';'.;'J;,;,,''.*",,1,1,i Jr,i,..?# l;"'rJ, .ii' I illl,f; ;1, -1,^1":. rhe s,-n er.rr, t), ol powers regular.rons ,"Jirr"" nr"*".11:e,:::ry -ir.netication und'r thes,: tules and exe rci s e t hc,, ;;; ;il".:ffi [ : :,ff ;."1X]: ?.* oo,," *,, ",,i.ii " i"ii D. To insri.trrc , r defcnd unu T:,:n or p-roceedrngs for or:rBarnsr th: LICA or i,.ii:",rj]j. -. " Bearer oi.-proy". of rhe HCA. M,;;;;: "i":i.,,",.L:"'i:f,-Yl:h the 9E-o, rures ror rhe ap,,oirrrme,r or ,.n ""i r;.";:::lt''iI" .officers. Peons and , th, r 5,..u1.. personnet ,'"a tlerr se* ,., ,, , 1",;; '; i;vT:ll to them and olher pr r: ;l;::X; t: ,".;Jlj:: honorarrrrr s. .Ln)p.nsarions. " -uce' "J*'.* t*-c'"tl' payment an]d i or I,r.,vit ent fund anq to r.grlJrp ,liscipJine u, 1lI- such empl,)vees. --r- "' vr suspending, fining, removing, or d srajssing .t;.I'" lll};, ;.?.jii,.'ii;1, lnlough irs deresare. en,errarn. h-ar. and parties ;rparn , r;';;d.iJ:?ls, bv^tmplovees or orhe' dir", rry ,1L,].1 ol the cEo or the cricket comnl1.1e( s as the case ma-y' bc. 16. HC,,\ JUR ITDiCTION or PLAYERS, MArcH oFFrcrAr-s & :,EAM opprcrnr-Jo,i t;;;;;X'"* The HC/\ sh: I have co,,", risdiclion and conLrol ,\(.r pra.vers, rr,lur"r,,,i,,.,r.. ";;;:iltXf Such in.iridual;;;rl;"i;;,:-'l''rals within the iurisdicrion rr : Member sharr b,', (,;, ;":;';: l:",:if, ;l;'[-,"* ;Xro::,:1,:..: Fi],: r",,r-,". ';;;::;: 1t .iu r,, " r I7- CONi)TJCT ()F PLAYERS The Ape.l' Corrr.c ir shalr have the power to enquire into the conorrc of any Player uithin r.s 3urisdiction and may ofi. ;:ii;j ',. pra v r as rhe Apex council riay ;;;,.;; action dec sic n shalr ji,.rphnirr], """ir" l8..ENQIJIRY I VIO CONDUCT OF PLAYERS. MATCH OF]'ICI}.L.J. ADMINISTR{TI ) iS. ETC In the e,.'en r oi he HCA enouiring,into the conduct of a plal ,lr, Match i, r1'. n,^,,,". ;f::1..11,TIl jTi':' "' the*HCA -;i,x-;;;.;' rrrlrrlrl ,ri r\ "CHAPTF]R \/ MqNAGEMENT t7 23- THE CEO l. The day-to-day management of the affairs of the HCA shall vest in a full time CEO to be appointed by the Apex Council, who shall be a management professional with management experience of at least 5 ye+rs as the CEO/MD of a company with a turnover of at least Rs. 100 crores 2- The CEO shall be assisted by not more than 6 full-time professionals (Managers) who shall be appointed by the Apex Council in consultation with the CEO essentially to govern the streams of finance, technical, infrastructure, [aw, media, and human resources. The CEO may however realgn or re-allot these streams as he deems fit.

3. The eligibility criteria for the CEO ald Managers shall be laid down by the Apex Council keeping in mind the following guidelines: a. Knowledge and familiarity with cricket or other sports; b. Understanding of financial position and fiscal direction of the HCA; policy: c. Knowledge of operations of cricket administration and overall d. Clarity on role, division of responsibilities and hierarchy, and e- Familiarity with regulatory and legal responsibilities as well as attendant risks

4. There shall be an appropriate induction process laid down by the Apex Council for the CEO and the Managers, which shall include a fair and transparent process of appointment.

24.^THE FUNCTTONS OF THE CEO The CEO shall have the following functions on behalf of the HCA: 1- To implement all the Rules and Regulations made by the Governing Body and the Apex Council as regard to non- cricketing matters.

2. To issue guidelines in respect of travel, accommodation, allowances, etc., to be paid to players, support staff and officiats participating in matches, other than international matche s. 3- To lease aIId manage immovable property of the HCA wherever situated, in order to promote the objects of the HCA.

4. To lay down parameters for the taying of grounds for playing the game and to provide pavilion, canteen and other conveniences and amenities in connection therewith. 5. To appoint Team Officials for the teams which shall . compulsorily include qualified coaches, managers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, trainers, alalysts, counsellors, and medics. However, the Head Coach of each I, i; -1o1 *li' ';J;:/;'i..i:X7,Hfl r..r.,,n"J,,,,j,r',: ,lj 'ilu''""1 7 T,) ensure that all mea * fi,],11* rhe,iniriation of crrminal p.r8":air, _ of thc State Teams Advisory commirree ..:nu" .0" apporr'tcd b/ ih'.' cricket , ro ,..J,. ""i;:;:: ;f,# ll'l*y,i:rlJ,li\ Ii ) rerow .,.,rrraJir':; rnanager wirl arranee ;::Tilt'1'::T'i'"" ::"':' er'v"" io' '" 'n ll,l;;;ll;f t'i:i'litil^:"J'"1t..*;l;il1-1;:;x;:;: be undertal(en l;\ ' re Piayer, r"iri.i *tj.i." "#! ']ervrll nrnv.i *iirr-i,, il';J.Illl"t" will .be reimb rrs'ci t(, the :r*-*:u'ii":;i:":ii:::1,=i.'J;.,;::ri:i:":l'ji: ;'-x,,ill.:l:-,_i:,*i: ;::e,,"i,:f are adopt( d tr) c rm ndte any Iorm of racral co*;;;l":*" 9iI lr'i'! ""'.;;; ;-;id'::ii; :g;:i' I i l"' 1;,.Xg: ,uo"".'"#'l,illijil-j-^1ol*^or Look'. r)F i,rd11 u1", o,n, snon', ,. -,.n,rar and ,',i.r", in' ,r_.ii.r,"L'rX",'li" ^ rr,er '"",.i,r ,"l,"ri ;J:rl".,i,ljX"IJllll1;,; ,; ,;"r..J y. to produce by itself tt 'i'i"r "i..iis';;J ;l''^:i'(-u't conre'rr t''' 'et *l"r or .^''quipment;;;;i,;;; il^il:'-on'"" bv hrrir c .r owning io.' o pubticize ;;;':,"f';X1::ry crew re' hni( i t,s etc of aJl .,".t,, .,. or! n. , or.rnrry with .o- nrr.l_tlo"ity seat numl ers " provide r."r"p....,r- or ri;; ;;;':? llrne tickel boo!:irrg t. r ir es with rasonabiy priced tick,,r: lublic re ,;J;;""""' ^''ts and maximize he r, "'5: 1f 1fu6 t 1. To provide atltadiums, , uevcrases ar arrordabrewlels'T,:::o^!I*,errr" fr od and dr u rl\-f rcr r. rest i,Orns for all gcnders fot th" lifti r, 1r11 -sb1g6, r'requare firc and .-"-'^19. :i r[ltctent ."..; -";;1,*ncy ,enlrres ano ' e rldsv5 and wheel hair. r, r rrre ,l:rterently-abieJ, ;r;;;'i::- a,, i r, ; 1 1 ;ps 61 *:ii; ;;#.:"":':::,*i ;rt$f:f 1,",:^"-1" .,, j ,, 1 '' ,r0." "or " rn , cr,"s in l.1,,"'r'.T,*',;:fl0:j8"";?.1n.*:l lerangara - r", u"i,-".,"t:!.#:i:T,,1;:. ,T,, jj,f.,l: o- lor any Exhibition maiqhs5 between m,tnb, I a r(l lor b:ween the Universities/sch;;i;i:,;;;;;;i;,;;h.. ir s titutions /othets in Telangana including r_egul.lrior s and brr:-iaws.in respect of travel, accommodatron, ,eliriw rnccs tc be paid to players ""a ,rn.i"i"--pulii;;i;;'i;,j;.n m a tch es. ,a I: ,l:iT: guidelines generalty for the converiencc an( ease ,,r ( a).. ro o.ay managemenl of alfairs of the t CA r ' lr Prcscnbe guidelines to layoul or converl a,,-. g, r,r.,d in (, high quality turf wickets ar all levels in .lf ",.,,"-,i'i.fr" ,1 ,l 1S 'r".-r"t t? ;;;;; country and to provide Pavilions' Canteens'. Public L.i-rt.r1i"""". and other amenities with disabled..access and suilable stgnage, especially 1o involve more Indians in ; ;;?''k'i ;"d to ericourage participation or all ffi;;; sections of societY' 'cricket Committees and facilitate the rS. i" '- iri prl-.r,t.tion of their tasks and recommendations 16.To collate monthly reports concerning the functioning of the various Committees, to create action plans and upload ih" ""-. on the website of the HCA' ;;.tau"s" or att cricketers at all levels' mai-ntain records and statistics, track performances and certify age and identitY of ParticiPants 18. To take steps to create world class infrastructure at all tht State To coordinate with levels in all areas ^tto"" conduct l',",.1oi""., . to the public' with .';;#;;;' p.l,i."rrt .ti."ntt and other associations' to to*prouide b"tttt """t"" to women and the disabled' ro io p,.,t in prace --::iii'iT:d:"^,:;T,Ti5,rTlTf,::: cricketers to Play natrona their skills so that a wider talent Pool is available to "i""1"111' "ot:/::Y111r,rv inro contracrs for and on 20. To sig,n and enter transPa '" i.rrrii.iit" HCA including wiitr rtrird parties and.vendors il.,1r. ,r.po"t" of the vari"ous committees of the HCA' J""ii. tnat in all contracts for television and-media ":.ii. i'*i,"".in"i"i"'""'":lll;oo.::l'J;i;fl.X,ll?i;XL".fiili; and futl. unhindered bro€ reolavs are shor'vn' tht-;;'* council every quarter or as orten as reouired by lhe Apex eo"ttit ott- ttt" functioning of the t'n" ptogttt" made in developing cricket #il;.;.,"t';;a in India. 22.To consider the reports of the Auditor' to verit' whether '" ri rilJ.-u..s are meeting their objectives and to assess whether cricket is U""tg''-otttUfy developed and promoted across the state' aii apptications for hnancial aid or anv other zs.;;;;;;;; "- ;;";;;i";.t to cricketers' Umpires' Tq almini.s,!11t:rs as 0..',n."irf.t nntea t'y tt'e beneral Body in this behalf from time to time and recommend the same to the Apex Council for their aPProval' 24. To examine all the expenditure exceeding the Budget and - to .l.rt.of such outlays.a,s are required for the proper administration of the HC{, ,, i'J;:;."';t"

25. To advise the HCA regardin$ investments- 26. To process requests made" for increase in all types of -- subventions/ subsidies to be- paid to the "ttoir^.t..", ullnu..", iariff for cotthit'g Camps' Coaching Subsidies io th. M"-b..", allowance Io the players for matches of , l,'if::;:,[::tl'j r9 *n'n pravrno- as., rrs drnerent *o away a,,d to r( com nrl1( the same to the Apex "rLtTf. 2 ? . To do all acts ".,ilro [l'[?;-j;'nn;1.^:,.1.,*i:., b'the HCA and Apex necessary .''o .xp.ai.ni 't;':;# jr".:,,I: " HCA as aforesaid -"r"oi"c "*;' _ name of the HCA. ns as are )je )ts of the - _ rr tle rce tD the ;,'ii'i.,.,n(rtrc

41. GRIIxTANCE REDRESSAL l. 'fhc tlpes of disputes/differenccs that form ,hc ()r.brLdsman,s ;rnbit ;rnd the procedurcs for. ..a."""rf.."1 ^ [H.tT'*"fl:i!11 *-.ry,-.n,"ee Disp.tes A,r1, lisputes and rhe cricket ii^:nt T9A' its Membeis, TrL r',:.,,.h,""e" Associarron shal be ; u ton rarrca y ."r...., _ in. b",r1t1rTs Procedure Both parties wor submit.their argume'IS .n.J a hearing wout,1 be r onducted rorrorll the principles of nrtura rrs rte e-nd exercising ,,, o"*"i"'.i"llng deenrs nr r,r,;.J;;;;;r;;,"J:,:."^T:r::Tins as rhe , ,,b ,crsrnan b. De:rimett caused by Member or Admtnistrator: If rny l4t rrt er_ . or an!, Adtninrslrator of the mrscondr(c. or acts in n",l"j-to--t,"_ any act )f in,1i rcil ,line or manner whicfi 1621 6. I k lv ro be delrirlrenra ,o ,frl ]nr.r."1'ty endarrger tl, ir"r-onu o.':'rr:(,j, :lt HCA or the gr,,," -, , r.i ker or reputarion or inreresr , I rr e H(.A or rnr,rscs ", ,;;;;"# ;; :'j::t,tnt *lll anv of thc I ro'i..r, rrs of rlre Memtr.andr ,, ,.-j).. ,n"" ;:Tllv rhe Frrlns , ...jr",'r'.'",111t""I1,"I"#:tions or hc Ir(.\ ,ndl,,r . , trle Al)ox (', lln .il, on recerpl (,[ a ],. .omplaint a show Cause I\olir ( rll ng tor explarrrrion , ,,d ;J;;;;.,".i ,rssue r niurr r i-n r . ;:"- ;";;; :i'";.':ftiT.,:*', :', ;:?,, ;L I l; .,, ; il. .,. Proceclure: Ihe Ombudsmar a [t er provrdrng op1' ,r r irv cr hearinl ro ,r , c...Miscor)du ur Breach by Orhers: In the event o[ anv . rn )lainr :;e,:i li ;;,;, clrculated or on jts own n -, . r"i,""" Ii' mis co ncr u c t " "l," ii!1,"i "il;, "li _ L,,Xil j ilT :..,:j "i " Player. Urnpir.. Team Official Selector or p.."on-,,."o(.i,1.,( with the HCr\. th( Apex Council si the same expeclttiorLs l- t ) the cEo to make ,r preiiminary r]..eiv(r frorn a,.y quarrer or based on;;;;";;,;,; eo, pass an appropnate,rrdct :;.":';1"'-,"hll'. . 'p";;;. I "h"., "ny "#l;:tt Proceclure: Tlr,: CEO shall for call for cxpt€ r atrons from ,nlnY]I1 T*: a preliminary inqrrirl e concerned person(s) anri s,-.rl rtri , ti-:a- *-l:] ri# report to the Apex Council not later than 15 days from the date of reference being made by the Apex Council. On receipt o[ the report, the Apex Council shall forward the sarne to the Ombudsman, who shall call for all particulars and unless it decides that there is no prima facie case and accordingly drops the charge, hearing shall commence on the case alld the same shall be completed as expeditiously as possible by providing a reasonable opportunity to the parties of being heard, If, despite due notice, any party fails to submit any cause or submits insufficient cause, the Ombudsman shall after providing reasonable opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, pass appropriate order ln the event any party refuses and or fails to appear despite notice, the Ombudsman shall be at liberty to proceed ex-parte on the basis of the avatlable records and evidence. D. By the Public against the HCA: Where a member of the public is Aggrieved concerning ticketing and/or access and/or facilities at stadia, the same may be brought in the form of a complaint to the Ombudsman. dure: The Ombudsman would adopt the same procedure as laid down in @ above after referring the complaint to the CEO to solicit a report on the complaint. 2. The place of hearing shall be decided by the Ombudsman from time to time- The Ombudsmal shall have the power to impose penalties as provided in the Regulations for Players, Team Ofhcials, Administrators, Managers and Match Ofhcials of the HCA.

3. The decision of the Ombudsman shall be hnal and binding arrd shall come into force forthwith on being pronounced and delivered. 4- Any Administrator, Player, Match Othcial, Team Official, Selector or other individual associated with the HCA on being found guilty and expetled by the HCA shall forfeit all their rights and privileges. He or she shall not in future be entitled to hold any position or ofltce or be admitted in any committee or any role on the HCA,

5. A Member or Frarchise once, expelled, may, on application made after expiry of three years since expulsion, be readmitted by the HCA, provided the same is accepted at.a Genera-l Body meeting by 3/4th members present and voting.

6. Pending inquiry and proceeding in to complaints or charges of misco;duct or any act of indiscipline or violation of any Rules and Regulations, the concerned Member, Administrator, Player, Match Official, Team Ofhcial, or other individual associated with the HCA (along with their respective privileges and benefits) may be suspended by the Apex Council until final adjudication. However, the said adjudication ought to be completed within six months, failing which the suspension shall cease." :

18. Ihe requisition given by the 4tr., r.espor)d( Int to the 6h respondt nt is dated 2Z .Og.2024. On the fa<:e the r€ corcl, the content:j of _he said letter including the name o1 petitioner .giving t hc r I lson that ,,petitioner not cooperilting io clisclose Aadhar hist,try,, is suspicious and doubtful, for ,tn,, 61 11_r. reason amon I many. petitioner was subjected !o ver illration in 2023 uia,e let.ter dated 3O.O}.2O23 and the 6tL responcent had given the rel)()rt on 07.1O.2O23 wherein it is mentior ed that Birth Ce rtificzr .e and SSC Certihcate pertain to Cybera ba d police commiss ione:-:rte and except the above, alr other certi rrc, rtes are found to l>e ge nuine. Once the 6rh respondent har_l takt,n r stand that he cilnnct make any enquiry in respect of Birth arrcl SSC Certificates wlLjch are in the territorial jurisdictio.e o1. C.rb erabad Commissioner,lte. it is surprising as to how the s;econrl e nqurry is taken up as against petitioner. The report dat=cl o4.7 .2024 observing llre t irrh of petitioner on 11.1O.2025 rs susl icious and appears to te fake, cannot be allowed to be sust:lirrcr[. One crucial admiss ion that is mentioned in the repor-: dated t', '* ,] ';. i,o*;* Xi a)

04.11.2024 is that petitioner is having only one birth certifrcate' Thus, it has to be inferred that petitioner is not having two date of births and registered date of birth is uide Registered No' 544 dated 08.11.2O05 and the DOB is 1 1' 10'2005 ln this scenario' it is not explained by Respondents 2 to 4 as to what was the bAsis for thdm to conclude that DOB of the petitioner is fake ' lg. The conclusion drawn by the Commissioner of Policecannotbethebasisforimposingbanonpetitioner.Itis 'not explained by the 4th respondent as why he had chosen the 6ft respondent for second verification when the latter had categorically mentioned in the first report dated 07 1O'2023 that veri{ication of documents viz' Birth Certilicate and SSC Certificatearefallingundertheterritorialjurisdictionof Cyberabad Poiice Commissionerate' The said acts of Respondents 4 and 6 are questionable Furthermore' the Registered/ administrative office of the 3'd respondent is within the territorial jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Cyberabad As discussed supra, the report of the 6th respondent No'6 is not conclusive, definite and supported by any oral or documentary evidence that was purported to have taken into consideration during the -course of enquiry' On the face of the record' the a. .a, - ,'l< : -.?.- r';'..mlEtii,: .;-d.r'-i. '; report (1ocs not disclose the details of enquiry ,rnd the procedure adopted anc which of the oflicials were exarnined ciuring the course of e,1uiry. The report of the police is silerLt as ro what, where and ruith whom enquiries were made by the },ol ce before coming to tlt 3 said conclusion. More so, the said rcp( rrt of the police is liot . ccompanied by any documents to subs lar,tiate the said conclusir>n. The report of police is perfun<:tor1,. itn,l cannot be allorved tc, be sustained. As a consequenr:e of tL e same, tmposine, of l)irn for two years by the 2.,d respo,dent is without applicatror-r ol r-rind.

20. lJ tw it need to be seen as to vrheth(:r the 4rh respondenl is having power to make a requis; tion to the 6rh responder)t for making enquiries against the pleLyers re1;istered with the alrd rrtrjponden t inter alia the genuineness of th : Birth Certificates. po,vers of the 4rh respondent are stitr)ulate(l r n Rule 24, extrar:ted supra. It is very clear from ttre int:er t and language of the said Rule that the 4th respond(lnt o . t he l.i.d respondent do,:; not have power to make reqursitioit .o the Commissiorer rt. police, Hyderabad. The said act is ber.r.rr.d the powe rs of r.he4 lt respondent. It is the Apex Cou ncrl rvh ch is governing body c,f the l"r respondent under Rule l4 ancL t.rt: 4,h r;:=: .: rt.-:. r'r:t.'...l't:i' !l&t ,. '- .r " I - - =r-: '#* ,l .r: .' 25 respondent has to function under the supervision of the Apex Council and cannot derive his own powers sans the Rules From the pleadings,'it is evident that the Apex Councii did not confer any such power on the 4th respondent to make requisition to the 6threspondentandsoalso,thepowertoimposebanonthe petitioner which is against the guidetines of the 3'd respondent' petitioner, ResPondents notice/show cause notice Under RuIe 17, it is the Apex Councii alone which 21. is having the power to take action on the erring conduct of a Before imPosing ban on player and not the 4th respondent. 3 should have issued 2 arrd calling for exPlanation and after on the submissions, if anY made hearing Petitioner basing should have placed the report prepared by him with the Apex Council to take action in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of Respondents 2 and 3' Admittedly' no such process was foliowed by Respondents 2 and 3 who imposed ban' It is apparent on the face of record that ban imposed by Respondents 2 and 3 is not in accordance with Rule 41(6)' as such, the act of imposing ban on petitioner is in violation of the procedure envisaged in the Rule, supra' It is also in the knowledge of Respondents 2 and 3 that petitioner is not playing . ,'i .j. '".4-1 . ,- . .o f,;. . *l]lil\:)-i. '" -"r '. for the State/HCA for the first time and is a regrsr:er3d p[ays1 with IIC)A fc r considerable time, thereby, Resp,onde:rts 2 ald 3 should have placed the issue, if any with Ape x Coun:il before sending requisrtion to the Commissioner of pclice, H.rderabad and tht: :rct .rf imposing bal is illegal, arbitrary a nd without power an<t au l hority.

22. It rs an undisputed fact that petltrcn rr is a registere,l plzlrer with HCA and is playing for the Sta !e7 HCA for considerzrltle time, thereby, the 4th responde:-1t srhou Id have placed t}.re iss rre, if any, with the Apex Council and afrer seeking permissi.n f r rm the Apex counc shourd have st nd the requlsltton to the 6rh respondent. Sending requisitior 1o )olice is a unilatr: ral a r:tion of the 4rh respondent sans the pov.er zrnd authorit-r r_rnder the Rules and Regulations of the 3.d rr:str.ondent as such tl-re -equisition and so also the report 01 he 6rh responderLt ar,) vitiated, illegal and cannot be allowed trr s rstain. That aparr , as rer Guidel ine 20, Aadhar Card is onl]. ,r lrroof of place of re srde tce. While so, insistence of the 3.a respond:nt for sharing OTP fr trn Players is not correct. 23. In view of the above discussion, the Writ Fetition is allowed ;:nd he ban imposed on petition,:r is .aised. ru,r *.-".;r*.**l 27 Respondents are directed to consider the statutory records as per Guideline No 10 of lrle 2nd respondent and pass orders in accordance with law' No costs' Consequently, miscellaneous Applications' if any 24 sha1l stand closed NAG,",,","*,OPANA, J i I I I 03'd APril 2025

2. 3 4 The Principal Secretary' Sports Department' TS Secretariat Building' iik!d;d',,'rn',',:'"".Txi'Jib?'r'ililrli!:h1?!'li:i,f .'*lllll; jil#":':;"il- t#n[:+*-i*,lfli**ijrun -.t

12. The communication of imposing ban on

4. There shall be an appropriate induction process laid down by the Apex Council for the CEO and the Managers, which shall include a fair and transparent process of appointment.

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