Srinagar, May 23: Javed Ahmed Kitab officially assumed the role of President of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on Friday. This transition follows the withdrawal of a petition pending in the Supreme Court and the subsequent cancellation of an interim order related to the JKCA elections.
The case, titled “Youth Cricket Club and Others vs. Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and Others,” saw the Supreme Court revoke a previously issued interim stay order on May 21 after the petitioners withdrew their application.
While taking charge, Kitab stated, “The election results were declared under the supervision of former Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Jyoti, which are now effective, allowing the elected body to officially take over the association. Our new term will focus on development and integrity.”
In a statement released by the association, he emphasized, “This governance will be based on transparency, accountability, and respect. Detailed information regarding future administrative operations will be shared with all relevant members in a timely manner.”
Kitab assured all stakeholders that the association’s regulations would serve as a guiding framework for all decisions and activities. He will be available at both the Srinagar and Jammu offices.
The association further noted, “Copies of this circular have been sent to BCCI officials, JKCA officials, members of the top council, and various banking institutions associated with the association.”
In addition to Kitab, the newly elected officials include Country Ratna Dubey (Vice President), Vivek Khajuria (Secretary), Rajan Singh (Treasurer), and Apex Council members Anil Kumar Kaul and Rakesh Kaul.
The assumption of office by the newly elected JKCA officials symbolizes the end of a long and contentious administrative period that began in 2017 when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court removed the elected body and appointed court-appointed administrators (CAA) in its place. Under this arrangement, former police officer Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari was appointed as CEO to oversee the association’s affairs. This intervention, initially thought to be temporary, lasted nearly four years, during which the administrators and CEO managed the JKCA without holding elections.
In March 2021, the High Court terminated their tenure and directed the BCCI to manage the JKCA and ensure free and fair elections. Following this, the BCCI formed a sub-committee comprising former cricketer Mithun Manhas (who is the head of BCCI), senior advocate Sunil Sethi, and Brigadier Anil Gupta.
This move raised hopes for the return of democratic governance; however, repeated delays in the elections caused frustration among clubs and stakeholders across the Union Territory. The electoral process in January 2026 sparked a new controversy, with several clubs alleging manipulation of voter lists, changes in voting rights, and procedural irregularities.
Subsequently, the aggrieved clubs approached the Supreme Court, which allowed the elections to proceed but imposed a stay on the announcement of results on January 8. Now, with the petitioners having withdrawn their application, the Supreme Court lifted the stay, paving the way for the elected body to assume office on Friday.
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