Infighting within the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) took an interesting turn on Saturday, with the association’s general body, at a special general meeting (SGM), reinstating President Javid Ahmad Kitab, who had been suspended on June 25 by a rival faction.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association has long been marred by scams, controversies, and factional infighting.
According to a statement issued by the JKCA, the SGM held in Srinagar declared all orders, notifications, resolutions, and communications issued by the association’s honorary secretary since May 21 as “null and void” while reaffirming the leadership of President Javid Ahmad Kitab.
The General Body also declared the June 25 resolution, which purportedly suspended the President, and the June 26 notification appointing an officiating President as unconstitutional, illegal, and without jurisdiction.
The meeting resolved that the association’s affairs would revert to the status quo under the leadership of Javid Ahmad Kitab.
The association said the meeting, attended by affiliated clubs and life members, passed a series of resolutions aimed at restoring constitutional governance, accountability, and administrative stability within the JKCA.
Among the key decisions, the General Body resolved to appoint retired Justice Deepak Verma as the Ombudsman of the Association and authorised the President to appoint an ethics officer to strengthen institutional oversight.
The meeting also approved reforms in recruitment, deciding that key positions, including that of the chief executive officer, would be filled through a transparent process involving public advertisement and interviews based on prescribed qualifications, age criteria, and experience.
The General Body further approved several governance measures, including the constitution of a committee to draft a code of conduct for players, members, and office-bearers; mandatory service of JKCA-sponsored BCCI-qualified coaches for a minimum of 10 years; and funding for the Cricket Players’ Association by the JKCA.
It also clarified that the Indian Cricket Association has no constitutional role in nominating members to the JKCA Apex Council.
The meeting authorised the president to appoint a private secretary, determine monthly allowances, and engage legal counsel to represent the association. It also empowered him to take an appropriate decision regarding the life membership of Ajay Sharma after verification, noting that Sharma had played cricket in Delhi and participated in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections in 2024.
The general body observed a two-minute silence in memory of former cricketers Bhardwaj, Rajinder Singh, Pawan Gupta, and Vikram Rathore.
Speaking on the occasion, President Javid Ahmad Kitab said leading an association that had recently won the Ranji Trophy was a matter of pride and responsibility. He urged all stakeholders to act in accordance with the JKCA Constitution and court directions to ensure the continued growth of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The rival faction had suspended the President on June 25
Earlier, another faction of the JKCA, led by the association’s secretary, suspended elected president Javid Ahmad Kitab following a resolution passed by the association’s apex council on June 25.
The decision was approved by an 8-0 majority.
According to the notification, the resolution was circulated among eligible members of the Apex Council under Rule 23(i) of the JKCA Constitution. Since the matter pertained to the conduct and suspension of the president, the resolution was not circulated to Kitab.
Instead, it was sent to the remaining nine members of the Apex Council. Eight members voted in favour of the resolution, while one member did not communicate a decision.
“Accordingly, the resolution stands duly passed by a majority of 8:0 in terms of Rule 23(i) read with Rule 48(6) of the Constitution of the JKCA,” the notification stated.
“In terms of the said resolution, Javid Ahmad Kitab, President, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, has been suspended with immediate effect,” it added.
The notification further stated that the resolution would have the same force, validity, and effect as if it had been passed at a duly convened meeting of the Apex Council and would be placed before the Council at its next meeting for ratification, as required under the Constitution.
The JKCA also directed all officials, employees, affiliated units, and functionaries of the Association to take all consequential steps for the implementation of the resolution in accordance with the Constitution.
Desh Rattan Dubey assumes charge as officiating president.
In another development in Srinagar, Vice-President Desh Rattan Dubey formally assumed charge as the officiating president of the JKCA following Kitab’s suspension.
Among those present on the occasion were Vivek Khajuria, secretary of JKCA; Wajahat Wasti, joint secretary; Rajan Singh, treasurer; Anil Koul, Apex Council member; Chander Mohan; and other office-bearers.
Addressing the gathering, the officiating president and the secretary reaffirmed their commitment to managing the affairs of the association with professionalism and transparency. They said all major decisions would be taken collectively by the Apex Council, reflecting a spirit of teamwork and consensus.
Election held on January 16, results declared on May 21
The JKCA formally announced the results of its elections on May 21 after the interim stay on the declaration of results was vacated following the withdrawal of a petition before the Supreme Court.
Javid Ahmad Kitab was elected president, Desh Rattan Dubey vice-president, Vivek Khajuria secretary, Wajahat Majeed joint secretary, Rajan Singh treasurer, and Anil Kumar Koul and Rakesh Koul as members of the Apex Council.
A JKCA communication issued on May 21 stated:
- “Pursuant to the withdrawal of the petition by the petitioners before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 21.05.2026 and the consequential vacation of the interim order dated 08.01.2026 in the case titled Youth Cricket Club & Ors. vs Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Club & Anr. (WP (C) No. 17/2026), the results of the JKCA Elections 2026 are hereby declared.”
Earlier, a multi-crore scam rocked the infamous JKCA
A multi-crore scam in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association earlier came to light in 2021 when Muhammad Aslam Goni, the then JKCA managing committee chairman, lodged an FIR with the police on March 10, 2012, against Ahsan Mirza and Mohammad Saleem Khan – the then JKCA general secretary and chief administrative officer, respectively – accusing the duo of pushing the funds into bogus bank accounts created in the name of the association.
From 2006 to 2012, the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) had given an amount of Rs 113 crore to the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association as a grant for the promotion of cricket in J&K. Of this, Rs. 43.69 crore was allegedly syphoned off and misappropriated by some office-bearers of the Association.
It was alleged that during this period, the then president of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association Dr. Farooq Abdullah, connived with the treasurer of JKCA and others to siphon off the funds. Mir Manzoor Gazanfar, who resigned as the treasurer of JKCA in 2008, had claimed that Dr. Abdullah visited his hotel in Srinagar and made him sign blank cheques.
Gazanfar alleged that Dr. Farooq Abdullah came with Ehsan Mirza, the then general secretary of JKCA, and forced him (Gazanfar) to sign some blank cheques.
Ehsan Mirza is also accused of defrauding the association of over Rs 30 crore after allegedly opening bogus bank accounts on its behalf. He was later sacked on charges of embezzlement. He, however, claims that he has been made a scapegoat.
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