The Telangana High Court has issued an interim order appointing retired Justice P. Naveen Rao as the sole administrator of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), stepping in amid mounting allegations of mismanagement and financial irregularities. The decision halts all committee selections and freezes key administrative functions as the court takes control of the association’s operations. Hearings in the case are set to resume on July 28.
The intervention follows a petition by Safilguda Cricket Club that raised serious questions about the credibility of the current HCA management, citing mismanagement, irregularities in financial dealings, and pending criminal cases against some office-bearers. An earlier administrator’s report had already highlighted systemic governance issues and recommended stronger oversight, prompting the High Court to act preemptively.
Justice Naveen Rao, who has previously overseen the HCA’s league operations, will now serve as a one-man authority, similar to the single-member panel once led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao in 2023. Under the interim order, all selection committee appointments and decision-making on financial matters are suspended until the court completes its review.
The move comes at a time when the HCA is embroiled in controversy. Allegations of misuse of BCCI funds running into hundreds of crores, irregularities in ticketing for high-profile matches, and political interference have cast a shadow over the association. These charges have triggered not just judicial scrutiny but also active investigations, with multiple office-bearers facing questioning and legal action.
Adding to the crisis, the Criminal Investigation Department recently arrested HCA Secretary Devaraj Ramchander on charges of forgery, misappropriation, and criminal breach of trust. Several other officials, including senior members of the managing committee, are also under investigation. These developments have intensified calls for structural reform and transparency within one of India’s most prominent state cricket associations.
The next hearing on July 28 will determine the future course of action, including whether Justice Naveen Rao’s role as administrator will be extended and if a larger probe into the association’s finances will be ordered. For now, his mandate is to stabilize operations, oversee ongoing league fixtures, and ensure that no further administrative or financial decisions are taken without judicial approval.
This intervention marks another instance of judicial oversight in Indian cricket governance, highlighting persistent challenges of accountability and financial discipline at the domestic level. For Hyderabad cricket, the immediate concern is maintaining continuity in tournaments and player development while the administration undergoes court-monitored restructuring.
With the HCA’s reputation under intense scrutiny and the cricketing community watching closely, the High Court’s actions signal a decisive attempt to restore order and integrity. The coming days will reveal whether this step ushers in long-term reform or becomes another temporary measure in the association’s turbulent history.