SC Directs Rajasthan Cricket Association Election Results to Be Kept in Sealed Cover

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Megha Gaur and Deen Dayal Kumawat, who had sought a stay on the elections while raising concerns over the exclusion of women from the electoral process.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the petitioners, told the court that there was “not a single woman voter” and no woman candidate participating in the RCA election process.

The petitioners also argued that the election was being conducted in undue haste and alleged that the process did not comply with the association's governing framework and directions issued by the Registrar, Cooperative Societies.

After hearing the submissions, the Bench permitted the scheduled polling to take place but ordered that the outcome remain confidential.

“We direct that the elections scheduled to be held today may take place. The results will not be declared. Let the results be in a sealed cover,” the Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant ordered.

The RCA elections have followed a prolonged period of disputes concerning the administration of the association, along with delays in conducting the polls.

The Supreme Court had earlier declined to interfere with directions issued by the Rajasthan High Court for holding the elections within a fixed timeframe under the supervision of Administrator Bhaskar A. Sawant.

The High Court had tasked the administrator with overseeing key aspects of the electoral process, including finalising the voter list, appointing a returning officer and completing the election after repeated delays.

The apex court had also raised questions over the continued functioning of the ad-hoc committee, noting that it had originally been established as a temporary arrangement to facilitate the conduct of elections.

The final electoral roll subsequently comprised 38 voters. It included the secretaries of 34 District Cricket Associations, conveners of the ad-hoc committees of Jaipur and Nagaur, as well as two former international cricketers.

The elections are being conducted to constitute the RCA executive for the 2026-29 term. Six positions are being contested: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, Joint Secretary and Executive Member.

The election has also drawn attention because several candidates have links to prominent political families in Rajasthan.

Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar, son of Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, and Parakram Singh Rathore, son of former minister Rajendra Rathore, had filed nominations for President.

Pawan Dilawar, son of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, is contesting for Vice-President, while Ashish Tiwari, son of Rajya Sabha member Ghanshyam Tiwari, had filed his nomination for Treasurer.

Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav, had filed nominations for both Secretary and Vice-President.

Voting was conducted at the RCA Academy in Jaipur on Tuesday. Under the Supreme Court's direction, the electoral process can continue, but the results will remain sealed and cannot be formally declared until the court considers the matter further.