How long will you avoid elections: SC rebukes RCA ad-hoc panel, clears poll path

Jaipur, July 8 (IANS) In wake of delayed elections by the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), the Supreme Court has declined to interfere with the Rajasthan High Court’s order and directed time-bound polls under the supervision of an administrator.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the delay in conducting elections and questioned the continuation of the ad-hoc committee, which was originally formed as a temporary arrangement.

The Court termed the petition filed by members of the ad-hoc committee as “absurd” and asked how long the process of avoiding elections could continue.

Following the Court’s observations, the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by members of the former ad-hoc committee was withdrawn.

With no stay granted against the High Court order, the RCA election process will now proceed under the supervision of Administrator Bhaskar A. Sawant.

A bench comprising Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe heard the matter, in which members of the ad-hoc committee had challenged the Rajasthan High Court’s directions.

The Court said that the committee was created only to facilitate elections on a temporary basis but had continued for an extended period.

The bench questioned why elections had not been conducted despite the passage of time.

The state government also said that the ad-hoc committee did not have the authority to file a petition in the name of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.

It was contended that an SLP filed in the association’s name could not be treated as a valid petition without authorisation from the administrator.

In view of the Court’s observations, the petitioners sought permission to withdraw the SLP, which was allowed.

The Supreme Court’s decision leaves the Rajasthan High Court’s July 1 order intact.

Under the court order, Administrator Bhaskar A. Sawant will oversee the election process, including finalisation of the voter list, appointment of a returning officer, announcement of the election schedule, and completion of the polls.

The election schedule is required to be submitted before the High Court by July 29, 2026.

The High Court has directed that a newly elected executive committee should take charge of the RCA within three months.

The ad-hoc committee had also drawn political attention due to the alleged association of several members with prominent political families in Rajasthan.

Among those linked with the committee were Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav; Dhananjay Singh, son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar; Ashish Tiwari, son of BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari; Arisht Singhvi, grandson of former Minister Chandra Raj Singhvi; and Arjun Beniwal, son of Bhadra MLA Sanjeev Beniwal.

The committee also included Sushil Jain, Secretary of the Dungarpur District Cricket Association.

Earlier, BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani and Rajasthan BJP office-bearer Deendayal Kumawat had also served as conveners of the ad-hoc committee.

The RCA has faced prolonged disputes over administration, elections, and internal functioning, leading to multiple legal proceedings over the years.

The Rajasthan High Court had appointed an administrator and ordered elections to restore an elected management structure in the association.

With the Supreme Court now refusing to intervene, the election process is expected to move ahead within the timeline fixed by the High Court.

–IANS

arc/khz