The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday ordered sealing of the Rajasthan Cricket Association office in Jaipur and expressed displeasure over violence reported during the extraordinary meeting of the Association earlier this week.
The order was passed on an appealed filed against the removal of Lalit Modi as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). Mr. Modi's supporters alleged that they were not allowed to caste their votes during the no-confidence motion against him (Mr. Modi) as a result of which his rival Amin Pathan was elected as the president.
The Court also asked the Sports Council chairman to make a personal appearance before the court in the next hearing with details of the no-confidence motion and sought a report from the Rajasthan police on violent incidents reported during voting. The next hearing is scheduled for March 30.
Former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi was removed from the post of Rajasthan Cricket Association president during a no-confidence motion against him and his office-bearers at the Extraordinary General Meeting here on Monday.
With the 17 out of 18 members casting their votes against Mr Modi, his rival Amin Pathan was all set to take charge as the new chief.
As per the Sports Act of the state and Constitution of RCA, the Pathan group needed two-third majority to see the no confidence pass. Of a total 33 district associations, the Modi faction had the support of about 15 units, much more than the required nine to defeat the motion.
While the Modi loyalists alleged that their members were not allowed to participate in the general meeting, the observers appointed by Rajasthan State Sports Council said that the members were not allowed to enter the meeting as they failed to arrive at the venue on time. Reports suggest 18 associations could make it for the meeting which went ahead with the no confidence motion against Mr Modi unseating him as president of the RCA. Five sealed votes were not counted since the rival group had an absolute majority.
A clash broke out between supporters of Mr Modi and his rival Mr Pathan in which several vehicles were damaged.
During the time the RCA office remains sealed, the staff will have to mark their presence by signing a register kept outside.
