DDCA Ombudsman Gives Manjot Kalra Go-Ahead To Represent Delhi In Ranji Trophy

Former India U-19 World Cup-winning hero Manjot Kalra’s one-season ban from all forms of cricket on allegations of age-fudging was overturned by new DDCA Ombudsman Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma, who passed an interim order on Sunday.

Young budding star Manjot Kalra was suspended from playing the Ranji Trophy for one year by the outgoing DDCA Ombudsman after allegedly doing an age-fraud for a U-16 game. The outgoing Ombudsman Justice (Retired) Badr Durrez Ahmed ordered that Kalra would not only be banned from age-group cricket for two years, but he will also not be playing Ranji Trophy this season.

Till further orders, Manjot Kalra can play-

Speaking to IANS, Naveen Raheja, the advocate for Kalra and himself a former international boxer, said that the youngster was free to represent his state once again.

“The order has been modified and the Ombudsman noted that Kalra was singled out even though there were other players also who were levelled with similar allegations. Only Kalra was handed the ban and there was another player whose father had apologised and even that player was allowed to play, but Kalra was banned.”

“The Ombudsman also felt that the enquiry was without jurisdiction in the sense that as per rules the Apex Council shall make the preliminary enquiry and forward it to the CEO. So, that process will be followed. Till further orders, he can play,” he said.

The order from the Ombudsman, in possession of IANS, read: “In view of facts and circumstance of the case, it is a fit case where the order dated 16.12.2019 deserves to be modified to the extent that without furnishing any undertaking by Mr Manjot Kalra, he shall be allowed to participate for and behalf of Delhi in the Ranji Trophy and all other Open Age Category matches, until further orders.”

“At this stage, Mr Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director (Cricket of DDCA requested) that he should also be permitted to play in the matches for the category, under age 23. I, therefore, direct DDCA to allow Mr Manjot Kalra to play in the matches for the category under age 23 also, obviously if he is selected.

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“Therefore, the said order is subject to fulfilling all other conditions and requirements by Mr Manjot Kalra to make him entitled to play for the matches subject to the requirements of the Selection Committee of DDCA. This is an Interim Order passed, looking into the facts and features of the cases.”

Kalra was all set to replace Shikhar Dhawan in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy squad but the age-fraud has changed the entire landscape of the situation.