Why Justice Mudgal issued a warning to Delhi cricket officials

The Delhi high court-appointed observer Justice Mukul Mudgal on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), stating that 'any hindrance caused by any official in preparation of the matches (domestic and international), the blame of the failure will be entirely on the DDCA officials'.

Mudgal has also mailed a copy of the letter to Board of Control for Cricket in India's General Manager (Administration) MV Sridhar and senior official Amrit Mathur.

The former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana high court wrote this letter after two joint secretaries of DDCA Dinesh Sharma and Subhash Sharma shot off a letter, demanding expulsion of seven directors including Chetan Chauhan for demanding implementation of Justice Lodha Committee recommendations.

Most of these officials were handpicked by Mudgal for smooth running of DDCA as well as conduct of international matches. Those in the know of things are aware that the two joint secretaries wrote the letter at behest of DDCA president S P Bansal, in order to create difficulties during upcoming India versus New Zealand ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla on October 20.

In his letter, Mudgal wrote: "All the office bearers of the DDCA are directed to ensure that their internecine disputes should not in any manner impede the smooth functioning for the India-New Zealand ODI scheduled on 20th October 2016 and the on-going domestic matches.

"Any shortcomings caused by the hindrance by way of blocking clearance of cheques required for holding of matches or otherwise will tarnish not only the reputation of DDCA but that of BCCI and indeed the Country," he further wrote.

"Kindly therefore sort out your differences after the New Zealand match is over. By that time, once the judgement of the Hon’ble High Court is delivered, my tenure in DDCA, mandated by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court’s order dated 22.08.2016, when I expressed my disinclination to continue my association with DDCA, is likely to be over," Mudgal concluded with a terse warning.

IMAGE: The Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, which is under the aegis of Delhi and District Cricket Association.

Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images