Cuttack: Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has told Orissa high court that its decision to defer the association’s elections was a collective one, approved by its general body, and not a unilateral move by its office-bearers.In an affidavit, OCA secretary Sanjay Behera said the issue of elections and continuation of the existing office-bearers was discussed at general body meetings held on Aug 31, 2025 and Feb 22, 2026.“The continuation of the office-bearers was approved by the general body and was not the result of any unilateral decision or administrative inaction on the part of any individual office-bearer,” said the OCA secretary.The counter affidavit came in reply to a petition filed by Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, claiming to represent Cuttack-based Sunrise Club, challenging the postponement of the OCA elections, which were due in Oct 2025. It was filed in response to the court’s direction issued on Aug 13 and was placed before Justice Savitri Ratho on Aug 21. After hearing the matter on that day, Justice Ratho directed that it be listed on Aug 27 at 3pm for further hearing.Defending the decision, the OCA said its general body, by majority vote at its Feb 22 meeting, decided to defer the polls to examine the impact of National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The association specifically referred to cricket’s inclusion as an Olympic sport ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in US.It also relied on a Dec 22, 2025, notification issued by the Union youth affairs and sports department, which, according to the OCA, provided for deferment of elections of National Sports Federations until Dec 31, 2026 as a transitional measure.The OCA further argued that the election dispute essentially concerned the association’s internal functioning and could not be converted into a public law dispute merely because elections had not been held. “It is settled law that the general body is the supreme and final decision-making authority of an association,” it said, adding that a resolution passed by the requisite majority at a properly convened meeting binds all members, including those who were absent or dissented.The stand comes against the backdrop of the BCCI telling the high court that OCA must conduct elections immediately in accordance with its own by-laws, BCCI rules and Supreme Court directions. BCCI has maintained that compliance is necessary for OCA to continue as its member and retain recognition.
