Mithun Manhas declared eligible for BCCI by-elections despite objections
Srinagar, Feb 22: The Electoral Officer (EO) for the BCCI by-elections 2025 has found Mithun Manhas, the representative of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), as eligible for inclusion in the final electoral roll for the upcoming elections on March 1.
The decision comes after reviewing objections raised against his nomination and the subsequent reply from Manhas and JKCA. The EO dismissed the allegations, stating that Manhas' role in the JKCA Sub-Committee, appointed by the BCCI, grants him eligibility equivalent to an office bearer until an elected body is formed.
According to the electoral officer, the complaint was received earlier this month regarding the nomination of Manhas as the representative of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in the BCCI By-Elections’ 2025.
In the objections, it had been contended that no court in India has appointed Manhas to any committee of JKCA and that it was BCCI who appointed him to the JKCA subcommittee in June 2021.
It had also been alleged that as per the summary of findings dated 2 January this year in BCCI By-Elections’ 2024, the Electoral Officer has vehemently stated that the Representative has to be a ‘member’ of BCCI to qualify to be nominated as Representative of a BCCI Member to BCCI General Body Meetings.
Besides, it was alleged that Manhas is not a member of JKCA and therefore shall be disqualified. Lastly, it was also alleged that the JKCA website dated 17 February 2025 was not displaying JKCA members, and therefore there was an alleged violation of BCCI Rule 3(b)(1)(ix), the EO noted.
Subsequently, a reply was sought from the Manhas and JKCA.
“Considering the entire Factual matrix appraised by ...(complainant) as also Mr Mithun Manhas, Representative of JKCA, and the Documents submitted in support of Contentions it is to be noted that Manhas was appointed as the Sub-Committee Member of JKCA by BCCI in adherence to the Order dated 23.03.2021 passed in LPAOW No. 14/2019 [LPA No. 43/2019] by the Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court .....” the Electoral Officer said, adding, “From the above excerpt of the Judgement of the Hon’ble High Court of J & K as also the information submitted, it is abundantly clear that the BCCI had formed a Sub-Committee of JKCA in order to delegate the responsibility to Run, Administer, Control and Supervise the affairs of JKCA till the Elections are duly Held and an Elected Body of JKCA is set-up”.
“Therefore the members of the subcommittee can be said to have the roles and responsibilities equivalent to the office bearers of the JKCA till an elected body of JKCA is set up,” the electoral officer said. “Therefore, the allegation of (complainant) regarding Mr. Manhas not being a member of JKCA is not legally acceptable.”
As regards the statement of the complainant as to why the BCCI has not conducted JKCA elections till now, the Electoral Officer said, “It is not appropriate for the Electoral Officer to go into the question of ascertaining the same. The Electoral Officer does not have the jurisdiction to examine or pass an order regarding the holding of JKCA elections by BCCI.”
As regards the complainant’s other contention, the EO said it is pertinent to note that on accessing the website of the JKCA, on the ‘home’ page itself, the details of the members of the subcommittee are given, which clearly states the name of Manhas as the ‘Member Cricket Operations and Development. The EO said, therefore, the objection of the complainant was not acceptable.
