Telangana HC orders HCA to release cricket development funds to Mahmood Cricket Club

The Telangana High Court has directed the Hyderabad Cricket Association to release development funds to its private affiliated clubs, ruling that the Association cannot disregard the binding order of its Ombudsman.

Hyderabad: Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court directed the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) to release cricket development funds to its private affiliated clubs.

The judge observed that the Association cannot ignore a binding order passed by its own Ethics Officer and Ombudsman. The Court allowed a writ petition filed by Mahmood Cricket Club and directed HCA to pay development funds of Rs. 3 lakh per annum from 2017-18 onwards, amounting to Rs. 27 lakh for the period up to 2025-26, within eight weeks.

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Rejecting HCA’s contention that payment of development funds was an internal policy matter dependent on availability of funds, Justice Bheemapaka held that HCA performs public functions and is amenable to writ jurisdiction.

The Court observed that the Ombudsman’s order dated May 7, 2025 had attained finality and was binding on the Association. The Judge also rejected HCA’s plea of financial constraints, noting that the Association had disbursed Rs. 68.73 crore to Visaka Industries Limited in February 2026 while failing to implement the Ombudsman’s direction in favour of affiliated clubs.

Holding that such selective compliance was arbitrary and discriminatory, the Court directed HCA to implement the Ombudsman’s order in its true letter and spirit and release the development funds due to all private affiliated clubs.