Exchange of blows mars DDCA meeting, Gambhir urges BCCI for sanctions

Exchange of blows marred the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Sunday (December 29). During the meeting, Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma was appointed as the DDCA’s new Ombudsman, replacing Justice (Retd) Badar Durrez Ahmed.

A DDCA release stated that all the members unanimously “passed the resolutions and agendas” but sources in the controversy-plagued cricket body informed that the AGM had its share of drama. Blows were exchanged and ruling group’s joint secretary Rajan Manchanda was slapped by opposition’s Maqsood Alam. Following Badar’s suggestion, the proceedings were filmed.

#WATCH: A scuffle broke out during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) today, where members were protesting against the removal of Justice (Retd) Badar Durrez Ahmed. BJP MLA OP Sharma was also manhandled. pic.twitter.com/WGcWlVjE7h

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2019

“Honourable Justice Deepak Verma (Retd) was appointed as the new Ombudsman by the members,” the DDCA release said.

A source said the AGM was “disrupted by supporters of general secretary Vinod Tihara after resolution 3, 4 and removal of Justice Badar was defeated by almost 75 per cent” of the members. “The supporters of Vinod Tihara also manhandled MLA Shri Om Prakash Sharma and the attendance register was also snatched,” the source said.

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Braving the chilling cold, members came in large numbers for the AGM, including former treasurer Narinder Batra and SP Bansal. “There were five agendas for the meeting: passing of annual accounts, appointment of statutory auditors, reappointment of retiring directors, adoption of new articles and appointment of Ombudsman,” the release added.

The DDCA is also likely to appoint its new president soon.

Reacting to the incident, former Indian cricketer and MP Gautam Gambhir urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to dissolve the DDCA and impose sanctions on those involved.

DDCA GOES “ALL OUT”…AND DDCA IS ALL OUT FOR A SHAMEFUL DUCK. Look, how handful of crooks are making mockery of an institution. I’d urge @BCCI @SGanguly99 @JayShah to dissolve @delhi_cricket immediately. Surely, sanctions or even a life ban for those involved. pic.twitter.com/yg0Z1kfux9

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 29, 2019

“DDCA GOES “ALL OUT”…AND DDCA IS ALL OUT FOR A SHAMEFUL DUCK. Look, how handful of crooks are making mockery of an institution. I’d urge @BCCI @SGanguly99 @JayShah to dissolve @delhi_cricket immediately. Surely, sanctions or even a life ban for those involved (sic),” he tweeted, tagging BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and board secretary Jay Shah.

(With inputs from agencies)