Telangana High Court
Mr. Anudeep Javvaji vs The State Of Telangana on 3 April, 2025
Author: Nagesh Bheemapaka
Bench: Nagesh Bheemapaka
HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA
WRIT PETITION No. 33997 OF 2024
O R D E R:
Petitioner questions imposition of ban for two years, effective from 04/11/2024 to 03/11/2026 from participating in the BCCI or State Association Tournaments and consequently, seeks a direction to respondents to consider the statutory records as per Guideline No. 10 of the 2nd respondent.
2. It is the case of the Petitioner that for the year 2024 he got registered with the Respondent No.2, for the domestic season 2024-2025 under -19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy in compliance with the guidelines of the Respondent No.2, with Player ID:18844, and in compliance, documentation that is required/stipulated was furnished. On 16/09/2024, Respondent No.3 Association had formed six teams to participate in Under-19 probables scheduled from 16th to 21st September 2024, the said matches were organised for identifying/selecting players for the state team to play and Vinoo Mankad Trophy on 04/10/2024 and based on the performance in the probables matches, Petitioner is selected for the State team of Telangana to participate in Vinoo Mankad Trophy, affirming his eligibility and competence as player in the 2 category Under-19. While matter stood thus, in October 2024, representative of Respondent No.3 Association had contacted Petitioner and requested to share OTP verification of Aadhar Card on the pretext of completing registration with BCCI for the upcoming tournament and trusting the said representation, Petitioner shared OTP verification number; thereafter, Petitioner is refused from taking further participation in the team including training session without giving any notice and intimation; at this point of time, he realized that OTP verification number shared by him was used to access the his Aadhar history without his consent which is violation of provisions of the Aadhar Act.
It is further case of Petitioner that his father had cancelled his Birth Certificate in 2019 by following due procedure with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) vide Doc. No. 1903/B&D/AMOH/H&S/CIR- 29&30/GHMC/2019 dated: 08/07/2019, despite the same, Respondents 2 and 3 unfairly came to a conclusion that Petitioner is guilty of misconduct and excluded him from participating in Cooch Bihar Trophy 2024-2025 without hearing him. Respondent No.3 on 27/10/2024 behind the back of Petitioner initiated inquiry into the alleged discrepancy of Birth 3 Certificate. Respondent No.3 sent a requisition to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad to conduct inquiry. Petitioner submits that due to the clerical error in the Original Birth Certificate dated 10/01/2006, and upon realizing this discrepancy, he took steps to correct the same and on 07/03/2019, his father approached GHMC Authorities and after reviewing the document presented and verifying the circumstances, GHMC Authorities have officially cancelled the Birth Certificate dated 10/01/2006, and Birth Certificate dated 10/11/2006 remains valid and accurately reflects the date of birth. The said step of cancelling the first Birth Certificate has been done transparently and by following due process of law.
It is stated, as on the date of filing Writ Petition, Petitioner is holding only one Birth Certificate showing the date of birth as 10/11/2006, and said date of birth is used and is recorded in all other statutory records namely Secondary School Certificate, Passport, Pancard, and Aadhar Card.
3. Respondent No.2 filed counter contending that they are responsible to ensure that all its tournaments are conducted in fair environment and no undue advantage can be taken by any player and had put checks and balances to ensure level playing field for competitive participation of players in the age 4 group tournaments. A Circular bearing No. BCCI/HQ/34/(M2)/1787/2020 dated 31.07.2020 was issued introducing the "Voluntary Disclosure Scheme" by which players were encouraged to reveal their actual date of birth before 15.09.2020. If the player did disclose the actual date of birth, he will not be banned and will be allowed to play in the tournaments and if the player failed to disclose and had submitted fake certificate, will be banned for two years.
It is the further case of Respondent No.2 that Petitioner is a registered player with Respondent No.3 and is required to produce the correct and genuine documents and undergo TW3 test. Hyderabad Police had conducted investigation on the documents submitted by him and found that date of birth certificate submitted by Petitioner does not belong to him and that correct date of birth is 10.01.2006, thereby, petitioner was banned for two years.
4. Respondent No.3 represented by its Secretary had filed a separate counter opposing the reliefs. Respondent No.3 is functioning under the aegis of Respondent No.2 and within the frame work of the Respondent No.2. Their case is that as per the Aadhar history of petitioner, initial enrolment is of the date 10.01.2006, and thereafter, an update was made on 27.02.2021 5 wherein the date of birth is changed as 10.11.2006. Respondent No.3 had sent a requisition to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, for conducting enquiry in relation to the particulars provided by the players. Basing on the report of the Commissioner of Police Hyderabad, Respondent No.2 had taken decision to ban Petitioner. If Petitioner is aggrieved by the said ban, he shall avail the grievance redressal mechanism and can resolve his grievance by approaching the Ombudsman. In view of the alternative remedy, the Writ Petition is not maintainable.
It is also contended that it is only a facilitator for the player selection process and not decision-making authority and selection committee is the only authority to decide upon the selection of players.
5. Heard Sri P. Raja Sripathi Rao, learned Senior Counsel on behalf of Sri Aditya Goud, learned counsel for petitioner, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Sports, Sri S. Ashok Anand Kumar, learned Senior Counsel on behalf of Sri N. Gangadhar, learned Standing Counsel for HCA and Sri C. Damodar Reddy, learned Senior Counsel on behalf of Sri S. Abhaya Kumar Sagar, learned Standing Counsel for the 2nd respondent.
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6. Based on the pleadings of the parties to Writ Petition, the point that falls for consideration is, whether the ban imposed by Respondent No.2 and 3 is sustainable and valid?.
7. The first and foremost that has come to this Court's notice is that there is no official service of order of ban imposed by Respondent No.3 on petitioner. From the material available on record, it is apparent on the face of the record that Secretary of Respondent No.3 has sent a "Whats App/Short Message Service" message to Petitioner on 14.11.2024. The contents of the said message are self-explanatory. The genesis for the said ban had started from Respondent No.3 and Respondent No.2 relied upon the information sent by Respondent No.3 inter alia the report of Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad and had passed the order of Ban. The action of Respondent No.2 is wholly without application of mind and had blindly followed whatever Respondent No.3 had furnished. It is not the case of Respondent No.2 that it was furnished the enquiry report of the Police and the procedure that was followed and adopted for the said enquiry for drawing a conclusion that Petitioner had submitted fake documents.
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8. It is nobody's case that order of ban imposed on Petitioner was served on him. The Impugned order filed before the Court is "Whats App/Short Message Service" message. The said order is bereft of details and lacks reasoning. Relying on the said report, Respondent No.3 had concluded that Petitioner submitted fake birth certificate and, in turn, informed Respondent No.2 which concluded that Petitioner had submitted fake birth certificate to Respondent No. 1, thereby imposed ban on Petitioner.
9. For adjudication of this lis, it is necessary to consider rules and regulations of Respondent No. 1. The relevant rules and regulations are extracted hereunder:
"1. (A) DEFINITION c. "APEX COUNCIL" is the principal body of the HCA tasked with its governance as set out in Rule 14.
e. "HCA" means "The Hyderabad Circket Association" in Telangana Regd under the A.P.(TA) Public Societies Registration Act, 1350 Fasli (Act 1 of 1350 Fasli) bearing Registration No.207/1961. "CEO" is the Chief Executive Officer of the HCA appointed by the Apex Council as set out in Rule 23.
w. "PLAYER" is any Cricketer past or present registered with HCA or any of its Members as a player and shall Include any person selected in any squad to represent HCA in a Test Match, ODI tour match, Twenty/20 or Junior Tournament Match or any Match conducted by HCA / BCCI in Telangana, India or Abroad."
"CHAPTER-IV GOVERNANCE
14. THE APEX COUNCIL
1. There shall be an Apex Council for the HCA which shall be primarily responsible for the governance of the affairs of the HCA.
2. The Apex Council shall comprise of 9 Councillors of whom S shall be the elected Office Bearers as per Rule 6 and the remaining 4 shall be:8
A. One to be elected by the Full Members of the HCA from among their representatives;
b. Two, one male and one female, to be nominated by the Players Association from amongst those of its members who hail from Telangana;
c. One to be nominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of Telangana from among the serving senior functionaries of the C&AG's office, co- terminus with the nominee's tenure;
"15. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE APEX COUNCIL
1. The affairs of the HCA shall be governed by the Apex Council and its framework of governance shall:
iv. Ensure a distribution and balance of authority so that no single individual has unfettered powers.
2. The Apex Council shall have all the powers of the General Body and authority and discretion to do all acts and things except such acts as by these rules are expressly directed or required to be done by the General Body. Exercise of such powers, authorities and discretion shall be subject to the control and regulation of the General Body. No regulation shall retrospectively invalidate any act of the Apex Council which was otherwise valid.
3. The Apex Council shall exercise superintendence over the CEO, the Cricket Committees, and the Standing Committees in the discharge of their duties generally, and in particular, in accordance with any general or special direction of the General Body, except for the Governing Council of the TIL which is directly accountable to the General Body.
4. In addition to and without prejudice to the generality of powers conferred directly or by necessary implication under these Rules and regulations and the Memorandum of Association, the Apex Council shall exercise the powers and perform the duties here after mentioned:
D. To institute or defend any action or proceedings for or against the HCA or against any Office-Bearer or employee of the HCA. N. To frame, in consultation with the CEO, rules for the appointment of Managers, Secretaries, Administrative Officers, Peons and other service personnel and staff and for payment to them and other persons in return for their services rendered to the HCA, salaries, wages, gratuities, pensions, honorariums, compensations, any ex-gratia payment and/or provident fund and to regulate discipline by suspending, fining, removing, or dismissing such employees.
Q. To either on its own, of through its delegate, entertain, hear, and decide administrative appeals by employees or other directly affected parties against the orders of the CEO or the Cricket Committees as the case may be.
16. HCA JURISDICTION OVER PLAYERS, MATCH OFFICIALS & TEAM OFFICIALS OF MEMBERS 9 The HCA shall have concurrent jurisdiction and control over Players, Match Officials and Team Officials within the jurisdiction of a Member Such individuals participating in cricket under the aegis of a Member shall be deemed ipso facto to submit to the jurisdiction of the HCA.
17. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS The Apex Council shall have the power to enquire into the conduct of any Player within its jurisdiction and may take such disciplinary action against the Player as the Apex Council may deem fit, which decision shall be final.
18. ENQUIRY INTO CONDUCT OF PLAYERS. MATCH OFFICIALS, ADMINISTRATORS, ETC.
In the event of the HCA enquiring into the conduct of a Player, Match Official, Administrator, etc., the HCA shall proceed in the manner prescribed in Rule 41."
"CHAPTER-V MANAGEMENT
23. THE CEO
1. The day-to-day management of the affairs of the HCA shall vest in a full time CEO to be appointed by the Apex Council, who shall be a management professional with management experience of at least 5 years as the CEO/MD of a company with a turnover of at least Rs. 100 crores
2. The CEO shall be assisted by not more than 6 full-time professionals (Managers) who shall be appointed by the Apex Council in consultation with the CEO essentially to govern the streams of finance, technical, infrastructure, law, media, and human resources. The CEO may however realign or re-allot these streams as he deems fit.
3. The eligibility criteria for the CEO and Managers shall be laid down by the Apex Council keeping in mind the following guidelines:
a. Knowledge and familiarity with cricket or other sports; b. Understanding of financial position and fiscal direction of the HCA;
c. Knowledge of operations of cricket administration and overall policy:
d. Clarity on role, division of responsibilities and hierarchy, and e. Familiarity with regulatory and legal responsibilities as well as attendant risks
4. There shall be an appropriate induction process laid down by the Apex Council for the CEO and the Managers, which shall include a fair and transparent process of appointment.
24. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CEO 10 The CEO shall have the following functions on behalf of the HCA:
1. To implement all the Rules and Regulations made by the Governing Body and the Apex Council as regard to non- cricketing matters.
2. To issue guidelines in respect of travel, accommodation, allowances, etc., to be paid to players, support staff and officials participating in matches, other than international matches.
3. To lease and manage immovable property of the HCA wherever situated, in order to promote the objects of the HCA.
4. To lay down parameters for the laying of grounds for playing the game and to provide pavilion, canteen and other conveniences and amenities in connection therewith.
5. To appoint Team Officials for the teams which shall compulsorily include qualified coaches, managers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, trainers, analysts, counsellors, and medics. However, the Head Coach of each of the State Teams shall be appointed by the Cricket Advisory Committee referred to in Rule-26(2)A (ii) below.
6. To secure Players' welfare to ensure that the logistics manager will arrange for accommodation and travel, to ensure that tickets given to Players for matches will be on par with those given to the Members, and to also ensure that no expenditures towards the game (baggage handling, injury related. Etc.) will be undertaken by the Player, failing which such expenses will be reimbursed to the Player within 30 working days of the requisition being made. Also, to process requests made by Players to make arrangements for the accommodation and travel of their respective wives/partners/family members, wherever permitted.
7. To ensure that all measures are adopted to eliminate any form of racial, communal, caste or other hatred from the game, with stringent action taken against the offenders including the initiation of criminal proceedings.
8. To start and maintain a library of books, periodicals, DVDs, and other databases on Sports in general and Cricket in particular, and to publish journals, books, and other material as well as the official website of the HCA.
9. To produce by itself the Cricket content for telecast of cricket matches and or ceremonies by hiring or owning equipment and hiring necessary crew. Technicians, etc.
10. To publicize the stadium capacity of all stadia across the country with compulsory seat numbers, to provide transparent online and offline ticket booking services with reasonably priced tickets and maximize the access of the public to the games.
11. To provide at stadiums, wholesome and hygienic food and beverages at affordable rates, clean and hygienic rest 11 rooms for all genders and for the differently-abled, adequate fire and emergency entries and corridors.
Sufficient access avenues and wheelchairs for the differently-abled, proper signage, parking, and transport facilities as well as efficient security systems.
12. To arrange and organize the all types of matches in Telangana including BCCI matches to be held in Telangana or for University, Schools, or other tournaments or for any Exhibition matches between members and lor between the Universities/schools/corporates/other institutions/others in Telangana including regulations and bye-laws in respect of travel, accommodation, allowances to be paid to players and officials participating in such matches.
13. To frame guidelines generally for the convenience and ease of day-to-day management of affairs of the HCA.
14. To prescribe guidelines to layout or convert any ground into high quality turf wickets at all levels in all areas of the country and to provide Pavilions, Canteens, Public Conveniences and other amenities with disabled access and suitable signage, especially to involve more Indians in the game of cricket and to encourage participation of all sections of society.
15. To assist the Cricket Committees and facilitate the implementation of their tasks and recommendations.
16. To collate monthly reports concerning the functioning of the various Committees, to create action plans and upload the same on the website of the HCA.
17. To create a database of all cricketers at all levels, maintain records and statistics, track performances and certify age and identity of participants.
18. To take steps to create world class infrastructure at all levels in all areas across the State. To coordinate with State/District and other associations, to conduct tournaments, to provide better access to the public, with particular reference to women and the disabled.
19. To put in place mechanisms to encourage Telangana cricketers to play nationally and internationally and hone their skills so that a wider talent pool is available to represent the state/country.
20. To sign and enter transparently into contracts for and on behalf of the HCA including with third parties and vendors for the purposes of the various Committees of the HCA, and to ensure that in all contracts for television and media rights, the interests of the public remain uncompromised, and full, unhindered broadcasts of all deliveries and their replays are shown.
21. To report to the Apex Council every quarter or as often as required by the Apex Council on the functioning of the management and the progress made in developing cricket in India.
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22. To consider the reports of the Auditor, to verify whether Full Members are meeting their objectives and to assess whether cricket is being suitably developed and promoted across the state.
23. To consider all applications for financial aid or any other benevolence to cricketers, Umpires, and administrators as per the rules framed by the General Body in this behalf from time to time and recommend the same to the Apex Council for their approval.
24. To examine all the expenditure exceeding the Budget and to control such outlays as are required for the proper administration of the HCA.
25. To advise the HCA regarding investments.
26. To process requests made for increase in all types of allowances, subventions/subsidies to be paid to the Members, tariff for Coaching Camps, Coaching Subsidies to the Members, allowance to the players for matches of different Trophies and when playing against different sides, both at home and away and to recommend the same to the Apex Council.
27. To do all acts and things which are delegated by the HCA and Apex Council to him, and all other functions as are necessary and expedient to carry out the objects of the HCA as aforesaid including carry on correspondence in the name of the HCA.
41. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
1. The types of disputes/differences that form the Ombudsman's ambit and the procedures for redressal are:
A. Member, Association & Franchisee Disputes: Any disputes between or among the HCA, its Members, TTL Franchisees and the Cricket Players' Association shall be automatically referred to the Ombudsman.
Procedure: Both parties would submit their arguments and a hearing would be conducted following the principles of natural justice and exercising all powers of enquiry and hearing as the Ombudsman deems fit before appropriate orders are passed.
b. Detriment caused by Member or Administrator: If any Member or any Administrator of the HCA commits any act of indiscipline or misconduct or acts in any manner which mayor likely to be detrimental to the interest of the HCA or the game of cricket or endanger the harmony or affect the reputation or interest of the HCA or refuses or neglects to comply with any of the provisions of the Memorandum and/or the Rules and Regulations of the HCA and/or the Rules of conduct framed by the HCA, the Apex Council, on receipt of any complaint shall issue a Show Cause Notice calling for 13 explanation and on receipt of the same and/or in case of no cause or insufficient cause being shown, refer the same to the Ombudsman.
Procedure: The Ombudsman shall, after providing opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, pass an appropriate order.
c. Misconduct or Breach by Others: In the event of any complaint being received from any quarter or based on any report published or circulated or on its own motion, of any act of indiscipline or misconduct or violation of any of the Rules and Regulations by any Player, Umpire, Team Official, Selector or any person associated with the HCA, the Apex Council shall refer the same expeditiously to the CEO to make a preliminary enquiry.
Procedure: The CEO shall forthwith make a preliminary inquiry and call for explanations from the concerned person(s) and submit his report to the Apex Council not later than 15 days from the date of reference being made by the Apex Council. On receipt of the report, the Apex Council shall forward the same to the Ombudsman, who shall call for all particulars and unless it decides that there is no prima facie case and accordingly drops the charge, hearing shall commence on the case and the same shall be completed as expeditiously as possible by providing a reasonable opportunity to the parties of being heard, If, despite due notice, any party fails to submit any cause or submits insufficient cause, the Ombudsman shall after providing reasonable opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, pass appropriate order In the event any party refuses and or fails to appear despite notice, the Ombudsman shall be at liberty to proceed ex-parte on the basis of the available records and evidence.
D. By the Public against the HCA: Where a member of the public is Aggrieved concerning ticketing and/or access and/or facilities at stadia, the same may be brought in the form of a complaint to the Ombudsman.
dure: The Ombudsman would adopt the same procedure as laid down in © above after referring the complaint to the CEO to solicit a report on the complaint.
2. The place of hearing shall be decided by the Ombudsman from time to time. The Ombudsman shall have the power to impose penalties as provided in the Regulations for Players, Team Officials, Administrators, Managers and Match Officials of the HCA.
3. The decision of the Ombudsman shall be final and binding and shall come into force forthwith on being pronounced and delivered.
4. Any Administrator, Player, Match Official, Team Official, Selector or other individual associated with the HCA on being found guilty and expelled by the HCA shall forfeit all their rights and privileges. He or she shall not in future be entitled to hold any position or office or be admitted in any committee or any role on the HCA.
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5. A Member or Franchise once expelled, may, on application made after expiry of three years since expulsion, be readmitted by the HCA, provided the same is accepted at a General Body meeting by 3/4th members present and voting.
6. Pending inquiry and proceeding in to complaints or charges of misconduct or any act of indiscipline or violation of any Rules and Regulations, the concerned Member, Administrator, Player, Match Official, Team Official, or other individual associated with the HCA (along with their respective privileges and benefits) may be suspended by the Apex Council until final adjudication. However, the said adjudication ought to be completed within six months, failing which the suspension shall cease."
10. As discussed supra, the genesis of this lis is the requisition given by the Chief Executive Officer of Respondent No.3 to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad vide letter dated 27.09.2024. This letter is not filed by Respondent No.3 along with the counter, thereby adverse inference has to be drawn against them. This Court is taking judicial notice of the said fact. It is not known as to what are the documents that are furnished to the Commissioner of Police by the CEO of the Respondent No.3 qua Petitioner for verification. Thus, it is doubtful as to on what basis the Commissioner of Police had conducted enquiry/verification of the documents of Petitioner.
11. Along with counter, Respondent had filed the report of the Commissioner of Police Hyderabad, dated 04.11.2024. In the caption of subject of the said letter/report of the Commissioner of Police, dated 04.11.2024, it is mentioned as "Detailed enquiry of Dates of Birth in respect of the U19 15 Men's Cricket players selected for BCCI registrations - Submission of report:-regd". In this report, the name of Petitioner is reflected at Serial No.3. In this report observation is made that "birth certificate vide Regd No.984, dated 30.12.2006 with DOB 10.11.2006, does not belong to him, hence it is fake. But the candidate had utilized his fake birth certificate for his school, colleges, etc. Moreover, the birth certificate vide Reg. No. 117/2006 dated 18.01.2006 with DOB 10.01.2006 belongs to petitioner. Hence, his claim of date of birth 10.11.2006 is fake." The report of Police is silent as to what, where and with whom the enquiries were made by Police before coming to the said conclusion. More so, the said report of Police is not accompanied any documents to substantiate the said conclusion. The report of police is perfunctory and cannot be allowed to be sustained. As a consequence, imposing of ban of two years by Respondent No.2 is without application of mind.
12. The Conclusion drawn by the Commissioner of Police cannot be the basis for imposing ban on Petitioner. The curious aspect is that, the reason for sending requisition by CEO to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, for enquiry is questionable. The Registered/ administrative office of the 1st Respondent is within the territorial jurisdiction of the 16 Commissioner of Cyberabad. As such, what made the CEO of Respondent No.3 to send requisition to Commissioner of Police of Hyderabad who does not have territorial jurisdiction is not explained by Respondent No.3. Further, as discussed supra, the report of Commissioner of Police is not conclusive, definite and is not supported by any oral or documentary evidence that was purported to have taken in to consideration during the course of enquiry. On the face of the record, the report does not disclose the details of enquiry and the procedure adopted and which of the officials were examined during the course of enquiry.
13. Now it need to be seen as to whether the 4th respondent is having power to make a requisition to the 6th respondent for making enquiries against the players registered with the 3rd respondent inter alia the genuineness of the Birth Certificates. Powers of the 4th respondent are stipulated in Rule 24, extracted supra. It is very clear from the intent and language of the said Rule that the 4th respondent or the 3rd respondent does not have power to make requisition to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad. The said act is beyond the powers of the4th respondent. It is the Apex Council which is governing body of the 1st respondent under Rule 14 and the 4th 17 respondent has to function under the supervision of the Apex Council and cannot derive his own powers sans the Rules. From the pleadings, it is evident that the Apex Council did not confer any such power on the 4th respondent to make requisition to the 6th respondent and so also, the power to impose ban on the petitioner which is against the guidelines of the 3rd respondent.
14. Under Rule 17, it is the Apex Council alone which is having the power to take action on the erring conduct of a player and not the 4th respondent. Before imposing ban on petitioner, Respondents 2 and 3 should have issued notice/show cause notice calling for explanation and after hearing petitioner basing on the submissions, if any made should have placed the report prepared by him with the Apex Council to take action in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of Respondents 2 and 3. Admittedly, no such process was followed by Respondents 2 and 3 who imposed ban. It is apparent on the face of record that ban imposed by Respondents 2 and 3 is not in accordance with Rule 41(6), as such, the act of imposing ban on petitioner is in violation of the procedure envisaged in the Rule, supra. It is also in the knowledge of Respondents 2 and 3 that petitioner is not playing for the State/HCA for the first time and is a registered player 18 with HCA for considerable time, thereby, Respondents 2 and 3 should have placed the issue, if any with Apex Council before sending requisition to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad and the act of imposing ban is illegal, arbitrary and without power and authority.
15. It is an undisputed fact that petitioner is a registered player with HCA and is playing for the State/HCA for considerable time, thereby, the 4th respondent should have placed the issue, if any, with the Apex Council and after seeking permission from the Apex Council should have sent requisition to the 6th respondent. Sending requisition to police is a unilateral action of the 4th respondent sans the power and authority under the Rules and Regulations of the 3rd respondent as such the requisition and so also the report of the 6th respondent are vitiated, illegal and cannot be allowed to sustain. That apart, as per Guideline 20, Aadhar Card is only a proof of place of residence. While so, insistence of the 3rd respondent for sharing OTP from Players is not correct.
16. In view of the above discussion, the Writ Petition is allowed and the ban imposed by Respondent No.2 is raised. Respondents are directed to allow petitioner to participate in the 19 forthcoming tournaments to be held by Respondents 2 and 3. No costs.
17. Consequently, miscellaneous Applications, if any shall stand closed.
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NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA, J 03rd April 2025 ksld