By Arun Pratap Singh
Nainital, 9 Oct: The Uttarakhand High Court heard a PIL filed regarding irregularities in the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU). While hearing the PIL, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal directed the office bearers of CAU to file their response before 9 November, the date for the next hearing. The defendants are yet to file their response on the allegations levelled in the PIL despite being asked to do so earlier.
During the hearing, it was mentioned on behalf of the petitioner that the chargesheet in the case has been presented in the lower court. But no action was taken against the accused nor was any reply submitted by the defendants in the High Court. On this, the court asked the defendants to submit their reply.
It may be recalled that Dehradun resident Vikesh Singh Negi, who is an RTI activist, had filed a PIL in the High Court claiming that after the elections held of the Cricket Association in 2019, the office bearers had taken bribes to the tune of lakhs of rupees from players for their selection in the state team for Ranji Trophy and other tournaments. In addition, it has also been alleged that lakhs of rupees were also misappropriated meant for food and drinks for the players. Some examples have also been mentioned in the PIL. It has been mentioned that bills for the supply of bananas was shown to be Rs 32 lakhs while the bill for supply of water to the players was shown to be Rs 22 lakhs. The PIL further claims that the players are being mentally tortured, due to which, many of them have been forced to play for other states.
It may be recalled that cases are registered against office bearers of CAU regarding alleged irregularities and sexual exploitation. It has also been claimed that the office bearers ‘involved in the scam’ pressurised the Treasurer to make forged bills and, when he refused, he was removed from his post. The petitioner says that the matter should be investigated under the supervision of three retired judges of the High Court and strict action taken against the office bearers involved in the scam along with banning them from contesting elections. The PIL also demands that the state cricket board should be dissolved and an administrator appointed in its place till new elections are held.
