HCA heads are at loggerheads

The secretary, vice-president, joint secretary and treasurer of the Hyderabad Cricket Association have taken on president Md Azharuddin for his ‘unilateral decision’ to appoint the body’s Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.

Cracks have appeared in the Hyderabad Cricket Association with officebearers pointing fingers at the head for undermining the body and acting unilaterally. Ironically, the issue in question is the appointment of HCA’s Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.

In a letter dated September 2, 2020 president Mohammad Azharuddin wrote to Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma saying the Apex Council had decided on his appointment in a meeting held on June 6 this year.

However, secretary R. Vijayanand, vice-president K. John Manoj, joint secretary Naresh Sharma and treasurer Surender Agarwal have written to the former Supreme Court Judge stating “the letter has been sent unilaterally by the president, without the approval or consent of the Office Bearers.” They sought to draw his attention to Chapter III of the HCA constitution which empowers the General Body to appoint the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.

As a consequence, “the letter which has been unilaterally addressed by Mr Mohammad Azharuddin is illegal, unlawful and improper and therefore be treated as withdrawn,” they wrote, adding, “the inconvenience caused to you is deeply regretted.”

They also sent a letter to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, apprising him of the development.

Later, Azhar reached out to all the affiliated clubs of the HCA via mail. “The important decision to appoint Justice Verma, though to be taken up at the AGM, was necessitated due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, and also due to the fact that his appointment has been pending for a long time,” he wrote.

Azhar attached a copy of the minutes from the meeting held on June 6 this year, which read: “After discussion and deliberations the Apex Council came to an opinion that Ombudsman and Ethics Officer has to be appointed at the earliest to resolve many legal issues of the clubs... that it is not proper to wait for AGM to appoint Ombudsman and Ethics Officer and that we can appoint them and later the same can be ratified in the AGM as we cannot conduct AGM in the near future in this critical period of Covid-19.”

Another mail doing the rounds in HCA circles shows Justice Verma’s consent was obtained in November last year. Vijayanand admits Justice Verma’s consent had been taken earlier but only the General Body had the power to appoint him. “The rule is clear cut,” he said.

Questions are also being raised as to why an AGM was not called between last November and March this year, when Covidforced restrictions came into place. Also, other important appointments like the CEO and CFO are pending for almost an year after the election of the current body, on September 27 last year.