SC Orders Rajasthan Cricket Association Poll Results to Be Kept in Sealed Cover

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections to proceed but directed that the results be kept in a sealed cover and not declared.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana passed the order while hearing a plea filed by Megha Gaur and Deen Dayal Kumawat, who sought a stay on the RCA elections alleging exclusion of women from the electoral process.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that there was “not a single woman voter” and no woman candidate in the RCA electoral process. She also argued that the elections were being conducted in undue haste and allegedly in violation of the association’s governing framework and orders passed by the Registrar, Cooperative Societies.

After hearing the submissions, the Bench directed that the scheduled polling could take place but the outcome must remain sealed.

The RCA has been involved in prolonged disputes over its administration, resulting in delays in holding elections. The Supreme Court had earlier declined to interfere with Rajasthan High Court directions for time-bound elections under the supervision of Administrator Bhaskar A. Sawant.

The High Court had directed the administrator to oversee the electoral process, including finalisation of the voter list, appointment of a returning officer and completion of the polls. The Supreme Court had also questioned the continuation of the ad-hoc committee, noting that it had been constituted as a temporary arrangement to facilitate elections.

The final electoral list for the current polls comprises 38 voters, including secretaries of 34 District Cricket Associations, conveners of the ad-hoc committees of Jaipur and Nagaur, and two former international cricketers.

The elections are being held to constitute the RCA executive for the 2026-29 term, with six positions at stake — President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, Joint Secretary and Executive Member.

The contest has also drawn attention because several candidates are associated with prominent political families in Rajasthan. Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar, son of state Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, and Parakram Singh Rathore, son of former minister Rajendra Rathore, had filed nominations for President.

Pawan Dilawar, son of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, is contesting for Vice-President, while Ashish Tiwari, son of Rajya Sabha member Ghanshyam Tiwari, filed his nomination for Treasurer. Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav, had filed nominations for Secretary and Vice-President.

Polling was held at the RCA Academy in Jaipur on Tuesday. Under the Supreme Court’s order, the voting and counting process can continue, but the outcome will remain in a sealed cover pending further consideration of the matter.