According to the latest reports in Cricbuzz, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been ordered to remove Mohammad Azharuddin's name from the North Pavilion Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
The directive comes after the former Indian skipper was found to have a conflict of interest. It was found that he took several decisions in his favor as the former HCA president.
The order was passed by Justice V. Eswaraiah, Ethics Officer and Ombudsman of the HCA, on Saturday. He acted on a petition filed by the Lords Cricket Club.
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Mohammad Azharuddin Accused Of Reaping Personal Benefits As HCA President
During his tenure as the HCA president, Mohammad Azharuddin reportedly held two positions. In 2023, he was banned from fighting the HCA elections after reports said that he was still the president of the Deccan Blues Cricket Club. This dates back to October 2023. Thus he violated the rules of the associations by holding two positions at the same time. The matter was taken to the Supreme Court, which gave the verdict that he would not be elected for any administrative position within HCA moving forward.Â
Justice V. Eswaraiah further clarified in his verdict that the former Indian skipper has indeed reaped rewards for his personal benefit during his time as the HCA president.
"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," Justice V Eswaraiah declared in his 25-page verdict.
It was also decided that no further tickets will be printed in his name in the remaining IPL 2025 games at the Uppal Stadium. There are still three SRH home games to be played in Hyderabad along with Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator.
The petitioner of the Lords Cricket Club further requested the Ombudsman to rename the North stand as the VVS Laxman stand instead of the former Indian skipper "for all practical purposes including but not limited to signages, printing of tickets etc. and pass any such order or orders as are deemed fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice."
Former Indian Skipper To Take Legal Action Against HCA
Meanwhile, the former Indian skipper has reacted to the entire incident, saying that he will be taking legal action and will take the matter to the Supreme Court.
"I will definitely take legal recourse and will be appealing to the High Court to stay this order. It is a shame that an India captain's name is being asked to be removed," Azharuddin told PTI.
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