Mohammad Azharuddin To Continue As Hyderabad Cricket Association President After Getting 'Suspended' By Apex Council

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been reinstated as the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) by ombudsman Justice (retd) Deepak Verma, after he was “suspended” HCA Apex Council for alleged violation of its constitution.

Allegations of conflict of interest were levelled against Mohammad Azharuddin by a 5-member Apex Council comprising vice-president K John Manoj, R Vijayanand, Naresh Sharma, Surender Agarwal, and Anuradha.

However, now, Justice (retd) Verma in his order pointed out that the complaint against the former India skipper was not forwarded to the ombudsman and, in effect, had no legal validity. He also slammed the committee for “playing their own politics” while ignoring the cricket in the state.

“[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 was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.

“Therefore, I direct that Mohammad Azharuddin shall continue as president and all complaints against office bearers shall only be 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,” he added.

Apex Council Members suspended by Justice (retd) Verma

The 5 members of the Apex Council has been suspended by the ombudsman for the time being. He reiterated his powers and lambasted the 5 people for not respecting it by taking an independent decision of suspending Mohammad Azharuddin.

“I would like to make it clear that, just because these five members believe on their own accord that I am not ombudsman does not take away my powers which are now been confirmed by the High Court judgment and the minutes of the 85th AGM as well.

“These members cannot evade the due process of law just by stating that they don’t agree to my appointment. It is clear from the above, that these members have malafide intentions and do not want smooth functioning of HCA,” he further added.