In a significant legal development, the Bombay High Court has issued an interim order to halt the election for the Apex Council of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), which was scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This decision represents a major setback for the incumbent MCA President and NCP (SP) MLA, Rohit Pawar.
Court Order and Allegations of Voter List Manipulation
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad. The court was hearing a series of petitions that challenged the entire election process, labeling it as "illegal" and alleging serious violations of the norms established by the Supreme Court for such elections.
The core allegation revolves around the voter list released by the MCA on December 25. Petitioners claimed there was "favouritism" and an "erroneous" inclusion of over 400 new life members. This move allegedly swelled the general body's strength from about 150 to over 600 members just before the polls.
Petitioners and Specific Claims
The petitions were filed by former Indian cricketer and BJP functionary Kedar Jadhav, the Latur District Cricket Association, an MCA life member, and a Pune-based educational trust. They sought a stay on the election and the removal of certain names from the electoral roll.
Kedar Jadhav's plea made striking claims, stating that the newly added members included several relatives and close associates of Rohit Pawar. The list purportedly included:
- Rohit Pawar's wife, Kunti Pawar
- His father-in-law, Satish Magar
- Revati, daughter of NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule
- Subhash Gulave of Baramati Agro
- Over 30 NCP leaders
Jadhav's petition argued that this "smirks of building dynasties" and was done "all of a sudden without following due process of law." The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Vineet Naik and Venkatesh Dhond, requested the court to quash the election schedule from December 23, 2025, and appoint administrators to conduct a fair poll.
Court's Directive and Next Steps
After considering submissions from both sides, the High Court found it necessary to intervene. The bench explicitly directed the Electoral Officer not to proceed with the MCA election in any manner without the court's leave until the next hearing.
The MCA, represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, defended the process, stating that all rules and regulations were duly followed. However, the court was not convinced at this interim stage.
The High Court has issued formal notices to the respondents, which include the State government, the MCA, and its office-bearers. The Electoral Officer has also been asked to respond to allegations concerning the induction of new members and the rejection of objections. The respondents must file their replies by February 3, 2026, with the next hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.
This judicial intervention throws the administration of one of India's most prominent state cricket bodies into uncertainty and casts a shadow over the electoral process, emphasizing the need for transparency in sports governance.
