Are there procedural issues with regard to the conduct of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) elections for the posts of secretary and treasurer?
Ramakrishna Udupa of Classic CC believes so and he has dashed off an email addressed to Justice (retd) P Naveen Rao, court appointed administrator of the HCA, and Electoral officer V S Sampath on Thursday evening. He also added CEO Imtiaz Khan to the list of recipients.
“I respectfully submit this representation regarding certain procedural concerns arising from the recent communications issued in relation to the elections for the posts of secretary and treasurer of the Hyderabad Cricket Association,” he wrote in his representation.
Change of Election Date
“The Order dated 04.03.2026 issued by the Electoral Officer records that the polling date has been shifted from 12.03.2026 to 15.03.2026 based on a request made during a meeting of stakeholders. It may kindly be clarified under which provision of the Byelaws of the Hyderabad Cricket Association such a stakeholder meeting forms part of the election process or influences the election schedule.”
HCA Electoral Officer’s Order Deemed as SGM Notice
“The communication issued by the President dated 04.03.2026 states that the Special General Meeting earlier scheduled on 12.03.2026 stands postponed to 15.03.2026 and further declares that the Electoral Officer’s order dated 04.03.2026 shall also be deemed to be the notice for the said Special General Meeting.
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“Under Chapter III of the Byelaws of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, the convening of a Special General Meeting requires compliance with the prescribed notice procedure. An administrative order issued by the Electoral Officer in relation to the election schedule cannot substitute or be deemed to constitute statutory notice for a Special General Meeting,” Ramakrishna said in the letter.
Independence of Election Process
“The election process conducted under the supervision of the Electoral Officer is expected to remain independent and strictly in accordance with the Byelaws. The linking of the election schedule with a Special General Meeting notice appears to create procedural ambiguity not contemplated under the governing rules.
“It is also respectfully submitted that W.P. No. 25015 of 2025 concerning matters relating to the affairs of the Hyderabad Cricket Association is presently reserved for orders (Pending CAV) before the Hon’ble High Court for the State of Telangana. In such circumstances, it may be appropriate that the present election process proceeds with utmost procedural clarity so that the process does not give rise to avoidable complications once the Hon’ble Court delivers its judgment.
“In view of the above circumstances, the manner in which the election schedule has been altered following a stakeholder meeting, and the attempt to treat the Electoral Officer’s order as a notice for a Special General Meeting, creates avoidable procedural ambiguity and gives rise to an impression that the electoral process may not be proceeding strictly in accordance with the Bye-laws of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
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“In the interest of ensuring that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and beyond challenge, I respectfully request that the present election process may kindly be paused briefly and the above procedural issues reviewed, so that the elections are conducted strictly in accordance with the Byelaws and without any perception of manipulation or external influence,” Ramakrishna stated.
Ramakrishna questions voters list
In another email sent late in the night, Ramakrishna also said, “I write to place on record a formal objection regarding the reliance on the alleged voters list dated 19.07.2025 for the purpose of conducting the forthcoming elections of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.”
His contention is that “the legality of the said list and the exclusion of several member clubs from participation in the General Body are directly under challenge before the Hon’ble High Court for the State of Telangana in WP No. 25015 of 2025 (Classic Cricket Club vs State of Telangana & Others).”
He says that the matter has been fully heard and is presently reserved for orders (CAV) before the Hon’ble Court. In the writ petition, the petitioner club and similarly placed member clubs have specifically challenged:
The exclusion of member clubs from participation in the General Body
The legality of the Adjourned 87th Annual General Meeting
The decisions of the Apex Council affecting membership and voting rights
“When the very composition of the General Body and participation rights of member clubs are under adjudication, any electoral process based on the disputed list dated 19.07.2025 would be premature and may seriously prejudice the rights of affected member clubs.
“Proceeding with elections on the basis of a list whose legality is pending consideration before the Hon’ble High Court may also render the entire electoral process vulnerable and subject to further legal complications,” he added.
“In these circumstances, it is respectfully requested that:
The list dated 19.07.2025 may not be acted upon for electoral purposes until the Hon’ble High Court pronounces its judgment in WP No. 25015 of 2025.
Appropriate steps may be taken to ensure that the electoral process does not prejudice the rights of member clubs whose participation is presently under judicial consideration.
This representation is made to safeguard the fairness, transparency and legal sanctity of the electoral process of the Association,” Ramakrishna wrote.
