Opaque Membership Process Halts Maharashtra Cricket Association Election

On Monday, the Bombay High Court issued a stay on the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections that were scheduled for January 6, citing preliminary illegality and a lack of transparency related to the induction of nearly 400 new members just weeks prior to the election.

The stay was ordered by a Division Bench composed of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad while addressing multiple writ petitions challenging the election process for MCA’s 2026–2029 term. The issues raised included concerns over the voters’ list and election schedule released in December.

The petitioners, led by former India cricketer Kedar Jadhav, who had applied for a councillor’s position, included the Latur District Association, former MCA secretary and life member Anant Mate, and Shikshan Prasarak Mandali’s Sir Paarashurambhau College. Jadhav, known for his World Cup appearances, had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and planned to contest against the current president, Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar group).

The MCA election framework involves electing 16 councillors across various sub-categories, who then select office-bearers internally, either by consensus or through voting.

The petitions claimed that the MCA hurriedly inducted around 400 new members just before the elections, doing so without sufficient notice, disclosure, or chances for objections. This allegedly skewed the electoral process, violating the association’s rules and natural justice principles.

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The Court, in its January 5 order, pointed out significant procedural concerns in the manner of member induction. It was noted that approvals for the 397 new members and ratification by the general body seemed to occur simultaneously, with no substantial disclosure of meeting minutes from the Apex Council or the AGM. The Court highlighted that existing members had no genuine opportunity to object.

The Court found the process violated principles of fairness and transparency as members only learned of the substantial inductions upon the voters’ list publication. The absence of a clear agenda item for inductions and approvals via a show of hands was viewed as problematic.

The Court also criticized the Electoral Officer’s decision on December 29, 2025, which dismissed objections to the voters’ list. It stated that the officer misunderstood his role, failing to recognize how massive inductions could impact electoral fairness. The Electoral Officer’s opinion was branded as seemingly incorrect.

Rejecting the MCA’s argument against judicial intervention after the election process begins, the Court asserted its authority under Article 226 of the Constitution to intervene when clear illegality appears. Proceeding with the elections, the Bench reasoned, would perpetuate the alleged wrongdoing.

The Court further remarked that increasing membership without a formal constitutional amendment significantly altered the MCA’s functioning, quorum, and voting power, raising substantive constitutional issues.

Concluding that the balance of convenience favored the petitioners, the Court halted the elections and instructed the Electoral Officer not to advance further. The stay remains in place until further notice. The MCA and other respondents (Election officer, Charity Commissioner, Pune, and the State of Maharashtra) are to submit their responses by February 3, with a further hearing set for February 4.

Published on Jan 06, 2026