Allahabad HC dismisses Cricket Association of UP petition seeking transfer of all assets

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has delivered a major ruling in favor of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), dismissing a petition filed by a rival group, "The Cricket Association of Uttar Pradesh" (CAUP), which had demanded the transfer of all assets, accounts, and resources belonging to the dissolved UPCA society.

A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddhartha Nandan dismissed the petition as baseless, observing that CAUP’s attempt to present itself as the official cricket authority in Uttar Pradesh was both misleading and fraudulent. The court noted that using a name so similar to the recognized body was a clear effort to generate widespread confusion among players, district associations, the general public, and other stakeholders.

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Addressing the historical context of the dispute, the court affirmed that the original society, "The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association," was lawfully dissolved in 2005. During a general meeting on September 3, 2005, three-fifths of the society's members unanimously resolved to close operations and transfer all assets, liabilities, and functions to UPCA, a corporate entity incorporated under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. The bench clarified that state government permission was not required for this process, as the state failed to demonstrate any financial contribution or underlying interest in the former society.

The High Court formally recorded that the company format of the UPCA has been a full voting member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the past two decades. The bench underscored that UPCA remains the sole entity affiliated with and authorised by the BCCI to govern cricket in Uttar Pradesh, whereas the petitioner holds no such affiliation.

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Dismissing all remaining demands, the court rejected requests to restrain UPCA from conducting cricket activities across the state. It also tossed out petitions calling for a high-level committee or central agencies like the CBI to investigate UPCA’s finances and BCCI affiliation. Concluding the ruling, the court emphasized that an organisational structure established and operating smoothly for nearly 21 years cannot be disrupted after such a prolonged duration, declaring that the matter required a complete quietus. (PTI)