In another twist in the struggle for power within the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), former captain of the Indian cricket team Mohammed Azharuddin, who was
removed from the post of HCA president last month, was reinstated to office by ombudsman Justice (retired) Deepak Verma, this Sunday.
Verma had pointed out that since the complaint against Azharuddin had not been forwarded to him, it held no "legal validity". Further, he claimed that the body's apex council, responsible for removing the cricketer from his post, did not have the right to take such a decision on its own, and passed an interim order
temporarily suspending five members of the council.
However, this has not marked the end of the issue - the Telangana High Court today stayed the orders of the ombudsman calling for the suspension.
Explaining its decision, the court said that it was staying the order as there was "no clarity" over the person appointed as the ombudsman. Further, it also stayed the orders issued by Azharuddin appointing the persons of his choice as members of the body.
An ugly struggle for power has marred the former cricket captain's career as HCA head - after taking charge of the sporting body on September 27, 2019, he has repeatedly found himself at the receiving end of criticism from other members for taking "unilateral decisions" without consulting them.