Proxy votes misused in Delhi cricket elections?

The functioning of one of the bodies under the BCCI has been under attack recently: the powerful Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) run by the senior BJP leader, Arun Jaitely.

Many questions have been raised over the way in which proxy voting has been used to keep a grip on the organisation, as well as the disorganised state of its finances.   

The leadership of the DDCA has not changed in many years. Like many other sports organisations around the country, questions have been raised about the manner in which proxy votes have been misused over the years to ensure the current leadership is not challenged.

To get to the root of the proxy voting allegations, NDTV checked on some of the top DDCA officials.

Arun Jaitley, who has been the DDCA President since 1197-98, has nine DDCA members in his house, four within his house, four relatives who live in Mumbai and a friend who lives in the same premise.

CK Khanna, the Vice President has 13 DDCA members in his house. He has been in the office since 1983 while Sunil Dev, the Sports Secretary, has been in the office sine 1990s. He has seven DDCA members in his house. Narendra Batra, the Treasurer has 12 members in his house.

"In company law it is not a problem. I do have 11 members. Every body is free to decide and go by their own wishes. Provided I get their proxies then yes I do take a decision but sometimes I do go individually also so what is wrong in that that is the law of the land," Narendra Batra, Treasurer, DDCA said in his defense.

While technically there may be nothing illegal, most experts believe that this is a clear misuse of the the proxy system to ensure your friends and family vote for you.

"I have a big house. I have my uncle, and my another uncle who is a member, my tenant, my daughter and my wife so that is a matter of 6 proxies in my house. Same way if there are people and officials whose relations are members and if they are registered, they have big houses. So I can't help it," Sunil Dev, Sports Secretary, DDCA said.

When approached Arun Jaitley and CK Khanna refused to comment.