New Delhi, Jan 9: In a significant intervention, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the ongoing elections of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), taking serious note of allegations of fraud, back-dating of orders, and manipulation of the electoral rolls against members of a Sub-Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The elections were being conducted under the supervision of a Court-appointed Electoral Officer, former Chief Election Commissioner Mr. A.K. Jyoti.
The apex court stepped in after petitions alleged that the Sub-Committee had acted in collusion to retrospectively issue orders and unlawfully alter the electoral rolls, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that the allegations, if true, strike at the very foundation of a free, fair, and transparent election.
Taking note of the gravity of the charges, the Court issued notice to the respondents and directed that the election results, if any, shall not be declared until further orders.
The Court emphasised that sports bodies, particularly those functioning under judicial oversight, are expected to adhere strictly to principles of transparency, fairness, and the rule of law. Any attempt to manipulate electoral processes, the Bench indicated, would invite strict scrutiny.
The petitioners were represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate Ms. Meenakshi Arora, along with Advocate-on-Record Soayib Qureshi, Advocate Sheikh Faraz, Advocate Chetna Alag, and Advocate Aman Qayoom Wani.
The matter is expected to be heard further after responses are filed by the concerned parties, with the Supreme Court set to examine the legality of the impugned actions and the sanctity of the JKCA electoral process.–(UNI)
