HC to decide maintainability of HCA ex-chief’s plea against disqualification

Hyderabad: Telangana high court will first examine the maintainability of a petition filed by former Hyderabad Cricket Association president A Jagan Mohan Rao challenging the ombudsman's orders disqualifying him and declaring Amarnath as HCA president. Mohan Rao, who was elected president of HCA, was suspended after being arrested in a criminal case on allegations of forgery and cheating. He was remanded ino judicial custody and was later granted conditional bail by the high court in Aug 2025.
Justice Renuka Yara heard the matter on Thursday. Mohan Rao's counsel contended that the ombudsman acted arbitrarily and beyond the scope of his powers in disqualifying him. It was argued that a member could be disqualified only after charges are framed by a court of law. In Mohan Rao's case, counsel submitted that only FIRs were registered — one alleging forgery of signatures and another alleging misappropriation of HCA funds — and that no chargesheet has been filed so far. Opposing the plea, HCA counsel A Venkatesh and Amarnath's counsel P Venugopal questioned the maintainability of the petition. They submitted that HCA is registered under the Public Societies Registration Act and that disputes relating to societies must be challenged before the competent civil court at the district level. Conditions imposedThey further pointed out that while granting bail to Mohan Rao, the high court had imposed conditions restraining him from entering HCA premises or other cricket clubs, and questioned how he could seek continuation in the post under such circumstances. After hearing the arguments, the court said adjourned the matter to Feb 18.