Mukul Mudgal Submits Stinging Report Against Delhi and District Cricket Association

Delhi High Court-appointed observer Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal, for the fourth India versus South Africa Test at Feroz Shah Kotla from December 3-7, has submitted a stinging report on the corruption-hit Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). (Justice Mudgal to Submit Report on Delhi Test to High Court by January 18)

The 27-page report submitted by retired Justice Mudgal before a Delhi High Court bench, comprising justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bakhru, said the internal audit of the DDCA, in its last report, had pointed out shortcomings and financial irregularities. (Organising a Test Match is Like a Daughter's Marriage: Mukul Mudgal)

"There are no minutes of the meetings of the Committee awarding work. Absence of records hamper transparency," the report said, adding that "the records relating to contract/work orders for the earlier matches were not available."

"No tangible action appears to have been taken by the management and accounts wing on issues raised, which is a matter of concern. Unless corrective action is taken, these shortcomings will continue," Justice Mudgal also stated in his report, which was also supervised by I P Singh, former Deputy CAG of India.

BCCI still hopeful

However, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur is hopeful that the faction-ridden unit will be able to organise its share of the World T20 matches smoothly.

"Justice Mudgal has submitted his report today. Before World T20, they will host a T20 International against Sri Lanka and we have faith in the DDCA that they will do a good job in organising the matches," Thakur said on the sidelines of a promotional event before he was apprised about the contents of the report.

On the recommendations of the Justice RM Lodha panel, Thakur said that the BCCI will have a Special General Meeting (SGM) once the members sent their viewpoints after studying the report.

Following are some of the deficiencies mentioned in the report.

1) Tendering system was not transparent in the past

2) Records were not kept properly in the past

3) Delay in payment of bills. Rs 5.56 crore worth payments were pending

4) Agreement for corporate boxes need to be renewed or fresh proposals should be invited

5) No active participation from sub-committees. Sub-committee which was supposed to oversea the seating of school children never came to the allotted stands despite persuasion

6) Issue with tickets. Ticket seller (ticket genie) had blocked tickets, which led to online platform showing tickets sold out

7) No transparency while awarding duties during Test match

Recommendations

1) Tender processes should begin at least three weeks before any match

2) Accounts wing of DDCA should be strengthened

(With inputs from Yash Chawla)