Patna High Court Cracks Down on Cricket Corruption, Appoints Retired Judge as Lokpal

Patna: Patna High Court has appointed retired Judge Shailesh Kumar Sinha as Lokpal to tackle rampant corruption within the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA). This decision follows a petition highlighting serious irregularities and mismanagement within the BCA, which has long impeded the development of cricket in the state.

The court’s move comes amid allegations that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been turning a blind eye to unethical practices and mismanagement at the BCA. The BCCI has been criticized for its failure to address complaints and its alleged complicity in supporting the BCA’s unlawful actions.

Judge Sinha is tasked with investigating complaints against BCA officials and ensuring adherence to the association’s by-laws. The court has condemned the BCCI for its oversight failures, which have reportedly led to poor player selection and tarnished Bihar’s cricketing reputation.

In a sharp rebuke, the court also flagged issues with the centralization of power within the BCA, particularly under president Rakesh Kumar Tiwari. It accused the BCA of neglecting crucial posts, such as the elected secretary, and mishandling its bank account operations, which should involve joint signatures from the secretary and treasurer rather than the president.

Further scrutiny revealed ongoing disputes over the appointment of ombudsmen within the BCA, with conflicting decisions being made by different retired judges. This chaos has been detrimental to the state’s cricketing structure.

Responding to the court’s ruling, Aditya Prakash Verma, the petitioner, hailed the appointment of Judge Sinha as a significant step toward reform. He expressed optimism that the decision will restore integrity and offer a renewed hope for aspiring cricketers in Bihar.