In a significant shake-up for the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Sunil Sethi, a Member of the Sub-Committee on Legal Affairs, has resigned, raising serious allegations regarding the issuance of “back-dated orders” by the former Ombudsman. Sethi, a key figure since 2021, formally addressed his resignation to Mithun Manhas, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
His resignation comes as the JKCA faces pressing challenges following a Supreme Court order dated 27 October. This order mandates that JKCA must conduct its elections within 12 weeks, closely supervised by former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti. Sethi highlighted these legal developments as critical context for his decision.
In his resignation letter, Sethi detailed his concerns, stating, “As the Supreme Court has directed holding of elections of JKCA and the effort to appoint a new Ombudsman has not been approved by the Election Officer till the formation of the General Body, unfortunately, back-dated orders are being issued by the former Ombudsman now, dating them back to March 2025, when no such order was passed or reported to me.” This statement underscores the legal and procedural ambiguities that have arisen in the wake of leadership transitions within the JKCA.
Moreover, Sethi expressed alarm over the implications of these alleged directives on the organization. He declared, “These orders are changing the club management and voting rights. This is to change the voting nomenclature, which I do not wish to be party to.” His remarks signal a potential upheaval in the governance structure of cricket management in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concluding his resignation, Sethi wrote, “As such, I tender my resignation from Member Sub-Committee. Please accept and relieve me. I am thankful for the opportunity the Board has bestowed on me.” This conclusion reflects his deep-seated concerns and the moral dimension of his departure.
The ramifications of Sethi’s resignation could extend beyond immediate governance issues. As cricket in Jammu & Kashmir navigates a complex legal landscape, the challenges posed by these back-dated orders may ignite further controversy and scrutiny within the JKCA.
