Srinagar: In a major update regarding Supreme Court proceedings related to J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) elections, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India Achal Kumar Joti has been proposed to be appointed as the Electoral Officer for carrying out the elections to the JKCA.
In a detailed proposal submitted by BCCI legal team & Amicus Curie, the roadmap for the conduct of the JKCA elections was submitted to SC with Achal Kumar Joti proposed as Electoral Officer.
“The Ld. Single Judge of Hon’ble High Court of Jammu & Kashmir by its Judgement dt. 13.10.2017, had directed that the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) shall be administered by the Court Appointed Administrators (CAA). Subsequently, by a subsequent Judgement dt. 23.03.2021 passed by the Ld. Division Bench of Hon’ble High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, it was, inter alia, directed that the CAA of the JKCA appointed by the Hon’ble High Court shall stand discontinued and that the BCCI shall, as an interim measure and till a new body of JKCA is elected, run the management, control and administration of the JKCA. It was also directed that the BCCI shall finalise the amendments, if any, in the Constitution of the JKCA, in conformity with the recommendations made by the Justice Lodha Committee, as approved by this Hon’ble Court,” Proposal reads.
“ It appears that in compliance with the judgment dt. 23.03.2021 of the Hon’ble High Court, the BCCI had appointed a Committee which, in turn, had appointed a sub-Committee to run, administer, control and supervise the affairs of the JKCA as mandated by the Hon’ble High Court and till the elections are held. Subsequently, the said sub-Committee formed by the Committee of the BCCI has drafted a new Constitution for the JKCA, and has also submitted the constitution to the Registrar of Societies, Jammu on 26.07.2024, for registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (as informed in the Report dated 13.03.2025 submitted by the Sub-Committee),” it reads.
“This fact was also placed before this Hon’ble Court by the BCCI during the hearing on 18.03.2025 and further, a report in this regard had also been submitted by the Sub-Committee to the Amicus Curiae on 13.03.2025. All the parties were ad idem for the conduct of the elections of the JKCA, without waiting any further for the formal registration of the Constitution of JKCA by the Registrar of Societies,” it reads.
“The Amicus was asked to propose the name of the person to be given the responsibility for conducting the elections of JKCA. In this regard, it is proposed that Shri Achal Kumar Joti, former Chief Election Commissioner of India be appointed as the Electoral Officer for carrying out the elections to the JKCA. It has been learnt that Shri Joti served as the Chief Election Commissioner of India. He also possesses considerable experience in conducting elections to sporting / cricketing Bodies. He has, inter alia, conducted various such elections, for (i) General elections for BCCI in October, 2022; (ii) General elections for Indian Cricketer Association (ICA) in November, 2022. (iii) General elections for UPCA held in December, 2022; (iv) Bye-election for BCCI held in 2024, 2025; etc,” it further reads.
“Shri Jofi has given his consent for undertaking the assignment for conduct of elections of JKCA. He has requested that in the Hon’ble Supreme Court appointing him for undertaking the elections of JKCA, the Hon’ble Court be requested to grant 12 weeks’ time for that purpose. 9. In view of the above, on behalf of the Amicus Curiae, it is submitted that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to consider passing of orders for,” it reads.
“Appointment of Shri A.K. Joti, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, for conducting the elections of JKCA, strictly in terms of the Constitution of the JKCA, a copy whereof has been annexed by the Petitioners alongwith their Additional Affidavit dt. 17.03.2025 (ANNEXURE A at Pg. 17 of the said Additional Affidavit) — by complying with the notice period requirements, and without waiting any further for the formal registration of the Constitution of JKCA pending with the Registrar of Societies,” it added.
During next hearing of the case it is likely that SC will give judgment for the conduct of JKCA thus paving way for the democratically elected body of Cricket Governing body in Jammu and Kashmir which has been run by few appointed persons for more than 7 years now.
