New Delhi, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : The Supreme Court of India has put a temporary halt to the elections of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) following a petition filed by former Indian women’s cricket team member Megha Gaur. Gaur requested the court to intervene, arguing that the elections should not proceed due to the absence of female voters and candidates.
During a hearing led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan, the court instructed Gaur to take her concerns to the Rajasthan High Court. Until then, the election results will be kept sealed and not publicly announced.
Gaur’s petition highlighted significant issues within the RCA, including a complete lack of female representation in both voting and candidacy. She accused the association of rushing the elections in violation of the Sports Code, its own constitution, and previous court orders. Additionally, there are plans to create three new districts under the RCA, which Gaur claims further marginalizes women in cricket.
In her statement, Gaur emphasized the recent success of the Indian women’s cricket team and expressed frustration over the attempts to suppress female cricketers in Rajasthan. She pointed out that the state has a rich cricketing heritage, especially after its IPL team achieved victory. “We want to have our voices heard in cricket administration,” she stated, underscoring the absence of women in the RCA’s voter list.
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing Gaur, informed the court that the elections are scheduled for Tuesday. Justice Bagchi questioned whether the matter could be brought before the High Court and if a stay on the elections could be granted.
Guruswamy argued that the elections are fundamentally illegal, emphasizing the need for female inclusion. “Our two demands are clear: first, to halt the elections as they are entirely unlawful, and second, to ensure better governance in cricket and sports,” she urged. “If the voter list contains no women, there can be no female candidates.”
The Supreme Court has permitted the elections to proceed but has mandated that the results remain undisclosed for the time being.
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