HCA members question interim Apex Council’s authority to take key decisions

Former Hyderabad Cricket Association office-bearers have raised questions over the powers of the Apex Council, which continues in an interim capacity under High Court supervision. They have sought clarity on membership decisions, the role of the committee and the timeline for elections

Hyderabad: Can the Apex Council whose term ended on October 21, 2026, but permitted by the Telangana High Court to continue in an interim in-charge capacity under the supervision of a Single Member Committee, take crucial decisions?

A former Hyderabad Cricket Association Secretary insists that though the High Court order should be respected he is not sure whether the interim set up is mandated to take major decisions when the High Court direction seems to be aimed at ensuring the process for a democratically elected Apex Council.

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“Normally, these kinds of major decisions are taken in the General Body Meeting of the HCA after an election,” he pointed out. Another former HCA Secretary pointed out that unfortunately the recent High Court order doesn’t prescribe a specific time frame for completion of the membership verification exercise or for conducting the elections. “Now the big question is whether the committee now permitted to be constituted under the supervision of the SMC has the jurisdiction to reconsider, modify or otherwise interfere with the earlier membership decisions, particularly if those decisions were taken pursuant to binding directions of the Supreme Court,” says another former HCA office-bearer.

Interestingly, the last elections were held as per the revised voter list approved by the then Supreme Court-appointed Single Committee Member Justice (Retd) L Nageswara Rao, who even suspended 57 clubs for three years or one term whichever is longer from having any say in the HCA elections.

“Importantly, Article 142 has been promulgated in the Supreme Court order. No court except the Supreme Court can change the orders of Justice L Nageshwar Rao, who has submitted the report. Yes, the Supreme Court has not accepted or rejected it so far and the case is posted for December 8, 2026,” explains another senior member of HCA. A separate case has also been filed before the High Court concerning the 57 clubs disqualified by the Supreme Court-appointed SMC. “All we look for at this critical juncture is for clarity, consistency and respect for judicial orders. At the same time, the interests and legitimate rights of HCA members must not be overlooked,” concluded a former President of HCA.