The Hyderabad Cricket Association Stadium in Uppal will no longer have a Mohammed Azharuddin stand. Due to accusations of conflict of interest, Justice V Eswaraiah, the HCA Ombudsman and Ethics Officer, ordered the board to remove his name on Saturday. Additionally, the Ombudsman ordered that Azharuddin’s name not appear on any tickets going forward.
In a recent appeal, the Lords Cricket Club claimed that Mohammadhad named the stand after himself while serving as president of the HCA, omitting the necessary permissions. In a 25-page ruling, Justice Eswaraiah concluded that the move constituted a blatant conflict of interest.
“The case against Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin) is further strengthened by the fact that the General Body has not ratified or modified the decision,” the verdict said, adding that he had overreached himself in order to obtain personal gain. A blatant conflict of interest is evident as a result of my research.
The petitioner contended that Azharuddin action was capricious and did not have the Apex Council’s or the HCA General Body’s consent.
The club asked that the original name of the stand—VVS Laxman Pavilion—be used again for all official correspondence, including as signage and ticket printing.
Citing Azharuddin’s ruling as “high-handed” and lacking backing from the association’s governing bodies, Justice Eswaraiah upheld the petition. The HCA has been directed to put the amendments into action right away.
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