Azhar stand ordered to be taken down in Uppal stadium after order by ombudsman to the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
Mohammed Azharuddin’s name must be taken down from the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium’s North Pavilion Stand in Uppal, Hyderabad, per an order from the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). Additionally, the HCA has been instructed to make sure that Azharuddin’s name is never printed on tickets going forward. Justice V Eswaraiah, the HCA’s Ethics Officer and Ombudsman, issued the directive on Saturday.
The Lords Cricket Club’s petition was being handled by the Ombudsman. Since Azharuddin, a former captain of India and president of the HCA, made a personal choice that favoured him, he declared that there was a conflict of interest in the Azhar stand.
“The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out,” Justice V Eswaraiah declared in his 25-page verdict.
In order to preserve the North Stand’s name as the VVS Laxman Stand “for all practical purposes including but not limited to signages, printing of tickets etc. and pass any such order or orders as are deemed fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice,” petitioner Lords Cricket Club begged the Ombudsman to overturn Azharuddin’s “high handed” decision to rename it the Mohammed Azharuddin Stand.
It was argued that Azharuddin’s move was unlawful and capricious, and that neither the General Body nor the Apex Council had decided to place the “Mohammed Azharuddin Stand” over the “VVS Laxman Pavilion” name.