Amid the ongoing political tussle between the BJP and the NCP (SP), the Bombay High Court on January 5 put a stop to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections that were scheduled to be held on January 6. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad said court intervention was necessary in view of allegations of nepotism and favoritism surrounding the election process.

"After hearing the counsels and perusing the material on record, we have formed an opinion that interference by this Court with the election process published on the website of the Maharashtra Cricket Association on December 23, 2025 is necessary. Therefore, we issue a direction to the Electoral Officer, MCA not to proceed with the election of the Maharashtra Cricket Association scheduled on January 6, 2026, in any manner whatsoever, without leave of the Court or till the next date of hearing," the judges ruled firmly.

Background:

The stay followed an urgent plea from BJP leader and ex-cricketer Kedar Jadhav, who highlighted the controversial overnight addition of around 401 voters to the MCA list—including relatives like Rohit Pawar's wife Kuntee Pawar and Supriya Sule's daughter, alongside NCP(SP) affiliates and business ties—allegedly to hand total control to one family.

Jadhav criticised the hurried election schedule, saying it violated Supreme Court directions on transparency and accountability as well as the Lodha Committee guidelines. He also pointed out that MCA membership had been expanded from 150 to 600 without proper scrutiny.

Appearing for MCA, senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi countered these claims, arguing that all steps were taken strictly within the law and had been examined by a committee headed by a former High Court judge.

After hearing arguments from lawyers representing MCA, Jadhav, the Latur Cricket Association, and a Pune-based college, the bench stopped the election process. It directed all sides to file their replies by February 3 and listed the matter for further hearing on February 4.

Case Details: Kedar Mahadeo Jadhav vs Electoral Officer (Writ Petition No 43 of 2026)

Appearance:

Senior Advocate Vineet Naik along with Advocates Sukand Kulkarni and Sandeep Salunkhe appeared for Kedar Jadhav.

Senior Advocate Vishwajeet Sawant along with Advocate Sandeep Salunkhe appeared for Latur Cricket Association.

Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond along with Advocates Rohan Kelkar and Sandeep Salunkhe, appeared for One Life Member of MCA.

Advocates Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, Janay Jain, Vinayak Chitale and Srishti Magdum instructed by Parinam Law Associates appeared for a Pune College.

Senior Advocates Huzefa Ahmadi and Mustafa Doctor along with Advocates Amjith Anandan, Dewang Mhatre and Rohan Kaiche represented the Electoral Officer of MCA.

Senior Advocates Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sharan Jagtiani along with Advocates Dixita Gohil, Yash Vijay, Pranjal Agarwal, Shweta Surana, Jatin Patil and Shikhar Agarwal instructed by Gohil Agarwal Law Chambers represented the Maharashtra Cricket Association and its

Government Pleader Neha Bhide assisted by Additional Government Pleader Kavita N. Solunke and Assistant Government Pleader GR Raghuvanshi represented the State.