Interim order suspends disqualification of HCA chief

Besides disqualifying the president and the Secretary T. Seshnarayan last week, the Ombudsman had even directed the HCA to initiate the process of election for the two posts.

Published : Mar 15, 2018 22:56 IST

Hyderabad Cricket Association president G. Vivekanand (left), secretary T. Sheshnarayan (right) and Ombudsman Justice L. Narasimha Reddy (centre).
Hyderabad Cricket Association president G. Vivekanand (left), secretary T. Sheshnarayan (right) and Ombudsman Justice L. Narasimha Reddy (centre).
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Hyderabad Cricket Association president G. Vivekanand (left), secretary T. Sheshnarayan (right) and Ombudsman Justice L. Narasimha Reddy (centre).

Justice A.V. Sesha Sai, Single Judge of High Court in Hyderabad, passed interim orders on Thursday suspending the operation of the Hyderabad Cricket Association Ombudsman Justice (Retd) L. Narasimha Reddy’s impugned orders disqualifying the incumbent president Dr. G. Vivekanand.

“The honourable Single Judge passed this order after hearing the elaborate arguments with regard to my alleged conflict of interest and also the purported commercial interests by being on the Board of Visaka Industries and also being the president of HCA,” a visibly relieved Dr. Vivek informed Sportstar from Chandigarh.

It may be mentioned here that the Ombudsman, besides disqualifying the president and the Secretary T. Seshnarayan last week, had even directed the HCA to initiate the process of election for the two posts.

“Yes, I am definitely relieved and also feel vindicated,” Dr. Vivek said. “It was unfortunate that I was repeatedly projected as a beneficiary whereas on the contrary we (Visaka Group) were the worst sufferers despite being the first to come forward to lend financial assistance for the construction of Uppal Stadium when no one else showed any interest,” the HCA president informed.

“What many conveniently forget is the fact that Visaka Group entered into an agreement with the HCA when the IPL concept was not even visualised. Consequently, after the IPL has become a big hit, we continue to be denied the benefits which other sponsors have been getting because they had the advantage of incorporating the IPL benefits into their agreements,” he said.

“With regard to conflict of interest too, as I happen to be the Advisor to Telangana State Government, I have on innumerable occasions made it clear that I don’t take even a single paisa as salary for holding that post,” Dr. Vivek said.

“Definitely, the High Court order today should only help us in giving a new direction to the sport and continue our promotional programmes in the districts with renewed transparency and determination,” he said.

For his part, Seshnarayan too is also “pleased to be back in the HCA after facing a two-month suspension by the Apex Council and then the disqualification by the Ombudsman last week.”

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