Telangana High Court sets aside Venkatesh Prasad appointment as HCA consultant

In yet another blow for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), the Telangana High Court on Tuesday passed an order setting aside a host of appointments, including that of former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad as the Consultant for Cricket Operations and Game Development.

This came after petitioners Sardar Daljeet Singh (HCA vice-president), T. Basava Raju (joint secretary), R.A. Swaroop and Vanka Roma Singh (ICA male and female representatives on HCA’s Apex Council) approached the court contending that the appointments were in violation of HCA’s rules and regulations.

Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka, in the order, noted that since HCA is involved in conducting public functions with the use of public funds, money paid for the services of Venkatesh and Vineet Saxena (Hyderabad Ranji coach), as well as coaches and physios Himani Yadav, Mamata Kanojia, Arjun Hoysala, Sabyasaachi, Rajshekar Shanbal, Shravanti Naidu, and B.R. Suvarna Laxmi (Respondents 7 to 16) should be recovered.

The order further stated that the money should be recovered from the personal accounts of HCA president A. Jagan Mohan Rao, secretary R. Devraj, treasurer C.J. Srinivas Rao and Chief Executive Officer Suneel Kante (Respondents 3-6), and not from HCA (Respondent 2).

“Though this Court is sympathetic towards Respondents 7 to 16, cannot allow their respective appointments to continue. This Court hold that appointments of Respondents 7 to 16 are illegal and are against the Rules and Regulations of the 2nd Respondent,” the order read. “Furthermore, the said appointments were made by a person who is not conferred with any authority either under the Rules and Regulations of 2nd Respondent or under the resolution passed in General Body.

“The Resolution relied and averred in the Counter filed on behalf of the 2nd Respondent do not show that Respondent No. 4 or any person (as per the rules) is/are authorised or empowered by the General Body, to make the appointments of Respondents 7 to 16,” it further emphasised.