HC Stays Order Removing Azharuddin’s Name from Stadium Stand

In a respite to former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, the Telangana High Court has stayed the operation of an order directing the removal of his name from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.[1]

The North Stand, formerly known as the VVS Laxman Pavilion, was renamed in November 2019 following a decision by the Apex Council of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), during Azharuddin’s tenure as HCA President. However, earlier this year, a complaint was filed by the Lord’s Cricket Club, alleging a conflict of interest in the renaming process.

The complaint argued that a member of the Apex Council could not take any decision in their favour and that the renaming lacked proper ratification by the HCA General Body. Acting on this complaint, Justice V Eshwaraiah, serving as HCA’s Ethics Officer and Ombudsman, passed an order on April 19, 2025, directing the removal of Azharuddin’s name from the stand, citing conflict of interest and procedural impropriety.

Azharuddin subsequently filed a writ petition before the Telangana High Court, challenging the appointment of Justice Eshwaraiah. The petition contends that the appointment of the Ethics Officer and Ombudsman is void ab initio, being in violation of Clause 40 of the HCA’s Memorandum of Association and its Rules and Regulations. The former cricketer also sought to quash the April 19 order as arbitrary, illegal, and lacking jurisdiction, further asserting that it violates his fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.

The matter will be heard next on June 9, 2025.

[1] Mohammed Azharuddin v. Ethics Officer and Ombudsman Additional Charge, Hyderabad Cricket Association & Ors. (WP 13253/2025)