Kataka: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday fixed September 28 for the next hearing of a petition seeking elections to the office-bearers of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), while directing the parties to place before it detailed information on a related case pending in the Supreme Court.
Former Ranji player Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, who has filed the petition, argued that the elected OCA committee’s term has already ended and questioned its authority to take policy decisions concerning the association’s administration.
The petitioner also sought an interim direction restraining the OCA authorities from carrying out financial transactions and urged the court to appoint an administrator to oversee the association’s affairs.
Opposing the plea, the OCA side argued that no direction has been received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding elections. It submitted that a Special General Body Meeting had resolved that the existing elected committee would continue until the end of December 2026.
The OCA further informed the court that the resolution, adopted on February 22, was signed by 58 members of the association.
During the hearing, the parties also raised the issue of whether cricket associations fall within the ambit of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The OCA joint secretary informed the court that the issue is also the subject of proceedings before the Supreme Court.
After hearing the arguments, the High Court directed the parties to furnish detailed particulars of the Supreme Court case and posted the matter for further hearing on September 28.
