Mohammad Azharuddin reinstated as Hyderabad Cricket Association President

Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was reinstated as the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association on Sunday by ombudsman Justice (retd) Deepak Verma. Azharuddin was ‘suspended’ from his duties by the five members of the HCA Apex council for alleged violation of the board’s constitution. 

The ombudsman of HCA released an interim order, which disqualified the five members, vice-president K John Manoj, R Vijayanand, Naresh Sharma, Surender Agarwal, and Anuradha on a temporary basis. Azharuddin was charged with allegations of conflict of interest. 

In an interesting turn of events, Justice (retd) Verma stated in his order that there wasn’t any official complaint made against the former Indian cricketer and nothing was forwarded to the ombudsman. It is because of this reason that the case didn’t have legal validity. 

“[The] Apex Council on its own accord cannot take such a decision. Therefore, I deem it appropriate to set aside the resolution (if any) passed by these five members in suspending the duly elected President, issuing a show-cause notice and direct them to refrain from any subsequent actions against the President of HCA, Mohammed Azharuddin,” Justice (retd) Verma said and was quoted by ESPN. 

Justice (retd) Verma given the power to act as ombudsman by the High Court

Justice (retd) Verma’s order stated that Azharuddin will resume his duties as the president and thereby all charges against the office bearers will be only decided by the ombudsman. “From the aforesaid facts and features, it is clearly reflected that instead of encouraging the game of cricket, each one is playing their own politics for the reasons best known to them. Thus, it defeats the very purpose for which HCA has been formed,” Justice (retd) Verma had said.

Regarding the five members of the Apex Council, Justice (retd) Verma expressed that these five members may think that whatever they will do is alright and they can’t be stopped. However, it has been confirmed by the High Court judgment and the minutes of the 85th AGM that he [Justice (retd) Verma] will not lose his power and will continue to the ombudsman, despite the apex council not being in agreement with it. 

He further said that the apex council can’t neglect the process of law by saying that they don’t agree with the appointment of Justice (redt) Verma. He said, “ It is clear from the above, that these members have malafide intentions and do not want smooth functioning of HCA.”