Elected JKCA President Gets Relief as “Unilateral Orders” Stayed; Old Lobby Accused of Backdoor Control
Srinagar, May 25: In a major embarrassment for a powerful faction within the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), the Court of Additional District Judge Srinagar has stayed controversial communications and meeting notices allegedly issued without the concurrence of the duly elected JKCA President, Javid Ahmad Kitab.
The court intervention comes amid intensifying allegations of backdoor interference, internal lobbying and attempts to destabilise the present elected dispensation within JKCA.
According to the court record, the petitioner alleged that unilateral communications were issued and meetings convened in violation of the JKCA Constitution and without presidential approval. The plea also challenged the induction of certain members into the Apex Council and termed the entire exercise arbitrary, unconstitutional and contrary to principles of collective governance.
After hearing the matter, the court observed that serious questions had been raised regarding the competence and authority of the concerned office bearer to issue the impugned communications. The court further held that the petitioner had established a prima facie case and accordingly stayed the operation of the communications dated 22-05-2026 and the meeting notice dated 23-05-2026 till the next date of hearing.
Insiders in JKCA claim the controversy is part of a larger attempt to revive and rehabilitate an unelected old lobby which, despite constitutional changes and fresh elections, allegedly continues to exert influence over the affairs of the association. The names of Brigadier Anil Gupta, functioning as CEO, and Majid Dar, serving as General Manager, are once again being openly discussed in cricketing circles amid allegations of bureaucratic overreach and parallel power centres within JKCA.
If highly placed internal sources are to be believed, an interim arrangement office bearer presently wielding influence in the BCCI is allegedly attempting to unsettle the current elected arrangement within JKCA. Sources claim the individual feels that the continuation of the present dispensation would considerably minimise his influence over purchases, administrative decisions and other operational arrangements that were earlier allegedly controlled through informal channels.
The developments have triggered widespread concern among cricket stakeholders, many of whom fear that repeated internal interference and factional battles could once again damage the credibility and smooth functioning of cricket administration in Jammu & Kashmir.
The petition also alleged that the impugned meeting was deliberately scheduled in Jammu on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha despite the known unavailability of the President and Joint Secretary, thereby raising further doubts over the intent behind the exercise.
Observers believe the court’s intervention has, for the moment, halted what many describe as an aggressive attempt to sideline the elected leadership and reclaim institutional control through administrative manoeuvring rather than constitutional process.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on June 2, 2026.
