Reserved On : 05/03/2026 Pronounced On : 16/03/2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 1670 of 2026 FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:

HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIRAL R. MEHTA ==========================================================

Approved for Reporting Yes No ✔

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PRADEEPSINH CHANDRASINH SOLANKI & ANR.

Versus BOARD OF CONTROL FOR CRICKET IN INDIA & ORS.

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Appearance:

MR MIHIR JOSHI SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR APURVA VAKIL SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR ANUJ K TRIVEDI(6251) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1,2 MS VAIDEHI N PARIKH(11568) WITH MR PRIT U SHAH ADVOCATES for the Petitioner(s) No. 1,2 MR SUDHIR NANAVATI SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR VANDAN K BAXI(5863) for the Respondent(s) No. 2 MR SHALIN MEHTA SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR MRUGEN K PUROHIT(1224) for the Respondent(s) No. 3 MR DEVANG NANAVATI SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR MANAN B PANDYA(12491) for the Respondent(s) No. 4,5 MR SP MAJMUDAR(3456) for the Respondent(s) No. 4,5 MR MEET V JANI(13101) for the Respondent(s) No. 6,7 MR VARUN M PRADHAN(12729) for the Respondent(s) No. 6,7 MR SAURABH SOPARKAR SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH MR. SAHIL M SHAH(6318) for the Respondent(s) No. 1 NANAVATI & NANAVATI(1933) for the Respondent(s) No. 2 ==========================================================

CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIRAL R. MEHTA

CAV JUDGMENT

The present case is a glaring instance of non-exercise of powers by the Electoral Officer and failure to discharge the statutory duties cast upon him. The case further reflects a clear attempt to circumvent the statutory provisions with a view to retain authority and/or continue in power beyond the period prescribed under the Rules and Regulations of the Baroda Cricket Association, as well as in contravention of the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 4235 of 2014.

[1] By way of the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners, in their capacity as Members of the Baroda Cricket Association, have challenged the legality and validity of the candidature of respondent Nos. 4 to 7, who are contesting for the posts of Office Bearers, namely President, Secretary and Treasurer, for the term 2026–2029. The challenge is founded on the ground that the said respondents stand disqualified, having completed a cumulative tenure of nine years or more in the capacity of Councillor and/or Office Bearer in the Apex Council.

[2] The facts leading to the present Writ Petition, in nutshell, are as under:

[2.1] Respondent No.2 is the State Cricket Association, namely the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), which is a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – Respondent No.1, and is governed by its Memorandum of Association (MoA) and the Rules and Regulations, as amended from time to time. Respondent Nos.4 to 7 are members of BCA and have submitted their nominations to contest the ensuing elections of BCA scheduled to be held on 15^th February 2026.

[2.2] The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in proceedings concerning reforms in the BCCI and on the basis of the recommendations of the Justice Lodha Committee, accepted the principle of tenure-based disqualification, holding that any individual who has completed a cumulative tenure of nine years in a State Cricket Association shall incur disqualification. It was further directed that upon completion of two consecutive terms, a mandatory cooling-off period of three years shall be observed. The Apex Court also directed that the Bye-laws and Memorandum of Association be suitably amended so as to incorporate provisions relating to tenure, eligibility and disqualification.

[2.3] Pursuant to the Election Notification dated 6^th January 2026 issued for conducting the elections of the Baroda Cricket Association for the term 2026–2029, Respondent No.4 submitted his nomination for the post of President, Respondent Nos.5 and 6 submitted their nomin