Amarnath declared new HCA President after Ombudsman order

Hyderabad Cricket Association will have a new President, Amarnath of Galaxy Cricket Club, after Ombudsman Justice Suresh Kumar Kait removed A Jagan Mohan Rao over alleged irregularities in the 2023 elections

Hyderabad: In a dramatic development, Hyderabad Cricket Association will have a new President in Mr Amarnath of Galaxy Cricket Club, former top officer of Central Excise and also one of the senior-most members of the HCA.

This is the result of the order of the HCA Ombudsman (dated January 31, 2026), Justice (Retd) Suresh Kumar Kait, retired Chief Justice, in response to the complaint filed by Mr Amarnath about the alleged “fraudulent practices” in the HCA elections held in 2023, in which Amarnath lost the Presidentship to Mr A Jagan Mohan Rao by just one vote.

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It may be mentioned here that Mr Jagan Mohan polled 63 votes and Amarnath 62.

Amarnath, in his complaint, alleged that Mr Jagan Mohan Rao fabricated the documents of Sri Chakra Club and filed the nomination for the post of President of HCA.

The said election was held on October 20, 2023.

“The name change to Sri Chakra CC from Gowlipura CC was ruled illegal through an order on January 31, 2018, by the then Ombudsman Justice L Narasimha Reddy,” he said in the complaint.

“Hence, there was no existence of the Sri Chakra Cricket Club. It is clear that Mr Jagan Mohan misused his power and position by paying money and fabricating the documents of Sri Chakra CC and purporting to be Treasurer of the Club and illegally contested the elections,” Amarnath alleged in his complaint.

The Ombudsman pointed out in his order that the High Court had directed that Mr Jagan Mohan Rao shall not enter into the office of HCA Stadium or any other cricket stadium or premises connected with the investigation. “In fact, he is not performing the duties of any post as on date and this situation is likely to continue for a longer period. Moreover, he has already been suspended by the HCA,” the Ombudsman recalled.

“In view of the above facts and circumstances, I am of the view that Jagan Mohan Rao does not deserve to hold the post of President of HCA after having so many serious allegations against him, which is misconduct on his part. Accordingly, I remove Mr Jagan Mohan Rao from the post of President,” the order stated.

“Since the institution cannot be put on hold, the post of President cannot be kept vacant for a longer period. Undisputedly, since the petitioner secured 62 votes (one vote less), I hereby declare the petitioner (Amarnath) as President of the HCA and direct him to take charge within a week from today. He shall continue on the said post for the remaining period (roughly about nine months),” the order stated.

For his part, Amarnath termed the development as “justice prevailed”.

 

HCA chief Amarnath reaction

The newly-appointed President of Hyderabad Cricket Association, Amarnath, said that he had been given the responsibility of taking over as HCA President by the honourable Ombudsman.

“I will relentlessly work for the development of Telangana cricket and get back the glory and the lost name we had in the golden years of the past,” he said in a statement.

“I will see that cricket improves in districts at the grassroots level, find genuine talent and promote cricket all over Telangana,” Amarnath said.

“I will work towards the respect of all the HCA-affiliated Club Secretaries and the overall facilities for cricketers, men and women, in our state,” he said.