Maharashtra Cricket Body Polls: SC Refuses to Lift Stay, Flags Induction of Non-Cricket Members

On February 3, 2026, the Supreme Court refused to lift the stay on the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections imposed by the Bombay High Court last month, criticising the induction of a large number of members unconnected with cricket shortly before the elections.[1]

The dispute centred on the induction of approximately 400 new members into the MCA and their inclusion in the voter list. Petitions before the Bombay High Court alleged that many of these members were related to existing MCA office-bearers or were businessmen with no connection to the game of cricket. It was further contended that the admissions were arbitrary, illegal, and contrary to the MCA’s Rules and Regulations.

In its order dated January 5, 2026, the Bombay High Court observed that the manner in which the admissions were carried out gave the impression of undue haste. The Court was of the prima facie view that the large-scale induction of members merely two months prior to the publication of the election schedule raised serious concerns regarding the procedure adopted by the MCA.

The High Court also accepted the contention that proceedings of the Annual General Meeting, the Special General Body Meeting, and the Apex Council were neither published nor were their minutes circulated among members. It held, prima facie, that the petitioners were not afforded a sufficient opportunity to raise objections to the admission of such a large number of members and their inclusion in the voter list.

Accordingly, the Bombay High Court directed the Electoral Officer not to proceed with the elections scheduled for January 6, 2026, without the Court’s leave or until the next date of hearing.

Aggrieved by this order, the MCA approached the Supreme Court. However, the Apex Court declined to interfere, observing that the injunction was justified and that the High Court had prevented the MCA from “committing a bigger fraud.” Criticising the induction of members unconnected with cricket, the Supreme Court remarked that if the Association intended to open such a large number of memberships, it could have inducted renowned cricketers, of whom there was no shortage in the country, instead of persons who did not even know the game or “how to handle a bat.”

Noting that the next hearing in the main matter before the High Court was scheduled for February 4, 2026, the Supreme Court urged the parties to raise all their contentions before the High Court and sought expeditious disposal of the matter. The petitions were subsequently dismissed as withdrawn.

[1] Maharashtra Cricket Association & Anr. v. Kedar Mahadeo Jadhav & Ors., SLP(C) Nos.1833-1840/2026