Due process, not media trials, is the way forward for DDCA

By Pramod Jain 

The concerns raised by several members over the functioning of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) deserve serious attention. As a Life Member, I share the commitment to safeguarding the dignity, credibility and future of Delhi cricket. At the same time, it is equally important that these issues are addressed on the basis of facts and within the constitutional framework that governs the association, rather than through speculation or public campaigns.

The question of the tenure of office-bearers has generated considerable discussion. DDCA functions as a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013, and matters relating to tenure, elections and cooling-off periods are governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, the National Sports Code and the Lodha reforms. Any dispute regarding the continuation of an office-bearer should therefore be examined by the Apex Council and the Legal & Ethics Committee in accordance with the established rules.

There have also been concerns about compliance with the DDCA Constitution and its governing regulations. It is worth noting that major financial, policy and administrative decisions are taken collectively by the Apex Council through duly convened meetings, complete with notices, agendas and recorded minutes. The Council functions under the DDCA Constitution, the BCCI rules and the Companies Act. Consequently, any deviation from these provisions becomes a matter of collective responsibility for the entire Apex Council, rather than that of an individual office-bearer alone.

Transparency remains another key issue. The association's existing framework already provides several safeguards. Annual reports and audited financial statements are presented before members at the Annual General Meeting. Tenders and contracts are processed through designated committees, while statutory records are available for inspection by members under the Companies Act. The emphasis should be on ensuring that these mechanisms are implemented fairly and uniformly for every member.

Similarly, DDCA has multiple layers of institutional accountability. Periodic financial scrutiny is carried out by an Internal Auditor, while Statutory Auditors appointed by the members at the AGM conduct independent audits. Government Nominee Directors provide additional oversight, and the Apex Council remains collectively accountable for the decisions it takes. If any wrongdoing is ultimately established, responsibility must rest with the entire decision-making body. Focusing criticism on one or two office-bearers while ignoring the principle of collective responsibility risks creating a misleading narrative and raises questions about the motives behind such selective targeting.

It is also understood that some vigilant members have already approached the Ombudsman and the Hon'ble Supreme Court regarding their grievances. This reflects the proper constitutional route for resolving disputes. Once these forums are seized of the matter, it is prudent to allow the legal and institutional processes to function without interference, rather than conducting parallel media trials that may prejudice public opinion.

DDCA belongs to its members, players and the wider cricketing community of Delhi. Any individual with specific grievances supported by evidence should place them before the Ethics Officer, the Ombudsman or the Apex Council for due examination. Protecting the integrity of the association requires adherence to its Constitution, faith in institutional processes and a collective commitment to restoring public confidence in Delhi cricket.

(The author is a long-time member and observer of DDCA for 55 years)

Tags : BCCI, DDCA, Delhi cricket, AGM, Lodha reforms, Companies Act