Jaipur: In a significant development for cricket administration in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan High Court has suspended the Ad Hoc Committee managing the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and appointed senior IAS officer Bhaskar A. Sawant as the Administrator to oversee the affairs of the association.
The order was passed by a Division Bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the prolonged continuation of the Ad Hoc Committee and the delay in conducting elections to the Rajasthan Cricket Association. The court’s decision marks a major intervention aimed at restoring transparency, accountability, and democratic governance within the state’s apex cricket body.
Court Questions Delay in Elections
According to the petition, the Ad Hoc Committee was constituted on June 29, 2024, as a temporary arrangement with a specific mandate to conduct elections for the Rajasthan Cricket Association within three months.
However, despite the expiry of the stipulated period, elections were not conducted, and the committee allegedly continued to function through repeated extensions. The petitioner argued that the prolonged continuation of the temporary body violated the purpose for which it had been constituted and undermined the democratic functioning of the association.
Registrar’s Role Also Under Judicial Scrutiny
During the hearing, the High Court also raised serious questions regarding the role of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, who oversees sports associations registered under the relevant laws.
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The Bench reportedly sought an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for the alleged failure to comply with earlier judicial directions relating to timely elections. The court observed that repeated extensions of the Ad Hoc Committee without completing the electoral process required closer examination.
Bhaskar A. Sawant Takes Charge
To ensure uninterrupted administration, the High Court appointed Bhaskar A. Sawant, Additional Chief Secretary in Rajasthan’s Home Department and a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the Administrator of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
As Administrator, Sawant will oversee the day-to-day functioning of the association and is expected to facilitate the process leading to the formation of a duly elected governing body in accordance with applicable rules and judicial directions.
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Importance of the Decision
The ruling is expected to have a far-reaching impact on cricket administration in Rajasthan.
For several months, concerns had been raised regarding delays in elections, internal disputes, and administrative uncertainty within the RCA. Various stakeholders had argued that prolonged governance by an Ad Hoc Committee affected institutional stability and delayed the establishment of an elected executive committee.
Legal experts say the High Court’s intervention reinforces the principle that temporary administrative arrangements should not become permanent substitutes for democratically elected governing bodies.
Background of the Dispute
The Rajasthan Cricket Association has witnessed administrative and legal disputes over the past several years, including disagreements over elections, governance, and the functioning of temporary committees.
Previous litigation involving the RCA has also dealt with issues relating to the powers of the Registrar, the constitution of Ad Hoc Committees, and compliance with court directions concerning elections and governance.
The latest order seeks to bring administrative stability while ensuring that the association proceeds toward a transparent electoral process.
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What Happens Next?
With the Ad Hoc Committee suspended, the newly appointed Administrator is expected to review the association’s administrative affairs and take steps necessary to conduct elections in accordance with the law and the court’s directions.
Cricket administrators, district associations, players, and stakeholders will now closely watch the next phase of governance, as the appointment of an independent administrator is expected to pave the way for restoring an elected leadership within the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
The High Court’s decision is widely viewed as an important step toward strengthening institutional accountability, improving governance, and ensuring that the administration of cricket in Rajasthan functions under a properly elected executive body.