HC stays voting rights to VHA’s 51 new members

Principal Correspondent

IN A major boost to the confidence and chances of Hockey Promoters Panel in the ensuing November 27 Vidarbha Hockey Association’s (VHA) elections, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court stayed the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s order on granting life membership and voting rights to 51 members, on Friday.
VHA treasurer Shyam Sharma, who is also contesting for the vice-president’s post, had approached High Court against the inclusion of new 51 life members in the voters list, just before the elections.
The order passed by Justices Vasanti Naik and Swapna Joshi states, “None appears on behalf of the respondent No 2 (GM Pillay) and No 4 (Secretary VHA) though served. Since the elections are scheduled on 27.11.12016 and since we prima facie find that the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur did not have the jurisdiction to direct the petitioner to permit 51 members to attend the meeting and to vote in the election, the impugned order is stayed, till the returnable date.”
This means the new 51 members will not be entitled to cast their votes in the election.
VHA president Radheshyam Sarda said he did not receive the court notice as he was out of town since last three days. “I was in Aurangabad since last three days and returned yesterday evening. I did not get any notice. VHA secretary DS Karunashankar was indisposed and got discharge from hospital today evening” he said.
Meanwhile, Hockey Promoters Panel’s presidential candidate BC Bhartia said it is a moral victory to his camp. “It is definitely a moral victory for us. However, there were voters who would have cast their votes in our favour. But we now have the upper hand,” claimed Bhartia.
Meanwhile, Election Officer Shreegopal Soni said he received the order copy and will take legal opinion before taking any decision.
“I received the order copy around 36 hours before the elections. I will have to take legal opinion on what can be done.
The election officer will have to take a decision on whether to reject the nomination forms of those candidates whose proposer and seconder are from the new 51 members’ list. He will also have to remove any candidate contesting for any post from the list of 51 members.
“I will take a decision on Saturday evening,” said Soni.