Telangana HC halts HCA move to remove Azharuddin’s name from Uppal Stadium Stand
The direction came in response to the plea filed by Azharuddin
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has temporarily halted the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) from removing Mohammad Azharuddin's name from the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium's North Stand.
The Telangana High Court Single Bench comprising Justice Pulla Karthik heard the writ petition filed by cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin challenging the Hyderabad Cricket Association ombudsman's order, which cited a conflict of interest due to Azharuddin's presidency during the naming.
After hearing both sides' arguments, Justice Pulla Karthik directed the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) not to proceed with the removal of Mohammad Azharuddin's name from the North Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, until further orders.
The direction came in response to the plea filed by Azharuddin challenging an order issued by HCA ombudsman and ethics officer Justice V Eswaraiah, who last week held that naming the stand after Azharuddin during his tenure as HCA president amounted to a clear case of conflict of interest.
Justice Eswaraiah had instructed the HCA to remove Azharuddin's name from the stand. Appearing for Azharuddin, Senior Counsel Mr K Ramakanth Reddy informed the Court that the naming decision had been in place for over five-and-a-half years, and that any move to reverse it now, would not only tarnish the former cricketer's reputation but also infringe on his rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
Further, Counsel Ramakanth Reddy pointed out the delay in raising objections, stating that the complainant had remained silent for years before seeking action without justification.
Counsel for the Lords Cricket Club urged the court not to grant any interim relief. Further, he contended that the decision to name the stand after Mohammed Azharuddin was made while he held office as HCA president, and therefore, was marred by conflict of interest.
Justice Pulla Karthik directed the HCA not to take any coercive steps regarding the removal of Azharuddin's name until the next date of hearing.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing.
