Mohammad Azharuddin, former captain of the Indian cricket team and president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a contempt notice issued by the Telangana High Court in relation to a dispute involving the Nalgonda Cricket Association.
Azharuddin's counsel, senior advocate Ramakant Reddy, requested an adjournment of the matter during the hearing before a division bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice SV Bhatti. The bench granted the adjournment and scheduled the next hearing for the following week.
The case originated when the Nalgonda District Cricket Association filed a petition before the Telangana High Court in 2021, seeking a directive to allow the Hyderabad Cricket Association's participation in the 2-day league for the 2021-22 season. The High Court issued an interim order permitting their participation.
Additionally, the association filed a related petition seeking instructions for the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Mohd Azharuddin to implement the orders previously issued by Ombudsman Justice (Retd) Narasimha Reddy in 2018. The association argued that as an affiliate member of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, they are entitled to all the benefits, including participation in meetings, matches, and tournaments.
During the proceedings, Azharuddin's lawyer assured the High Court that the Nalgonda Association would be allowed to participate in all tournaments organized under the Hyderabad Cricket Association during the current 2022-23 season. The High Court acknowledged this statement and directed that the Nalgonda Association be permitted to participate in all tournaments for the current cricket season.
However, in 2023, the association filed a contempt case alleging willful disobedience of the High Court's orders issued in 2022. As a result, the High Court issued a notice to Mohammad Azharuddin, summoning him to appear in person for the contempt case.
It is worth mentioning that in February of the previous year, the Supreme Court had directed the Hyderabad Cricket Association to conduct elections under the supervision of former Supreme Court judge, Justice L Nageswara Rao.
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