In a significant turn of events for the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Sunil Sethi has resigned from his position as Member–Legal Affairs of the Sub-Committee, raising serious allegations regarding the issuance of ‘back-dated orders’ by the former Ombudsman. Sethi, who has served on the committee since 2021, formally addressed his resignation to BCCI President Mithun Manhas.
Sethi’s resignation occurs against the backdrop of a Supreme Court ruling on 27 October, which mandated that JKCA conduct its elections under the supervision of former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti within a strict 12-week timeframe.
In his resignation letter, Sethi expressed concerns about the implications of the previous Ombudsman’s decisions. He noted, “As the Supreme Court has directed the holding of elections for the JKCA and the effort to appoint a new Ombudsman remains unapproved by the Election Officer until the General Body is formed, back-dated orders are currently being issued by the former Ombudsman, some dating back to March 2025.” These orders are reportedly being executed without proper documentation or oversight.
The impact of these purported directives has prompted Sethi to voice his concerns over essential governance matters. He emphasized, “These back-dated orders are modifying club management and altering voting rights, essentially changing the voting nomenclature in a way I cannot support.”
In the conclusion of his letter, Sethi formally requested to be relieved from his duties. He stated, “Therefore, I tender my resignation from the Member Sub-Committee. Please accept and relieve me. I appreciate the opportunity that the Board has conferred upon me.”
Sethi’s resignation raises important questions about governance within the JKCA, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s insistence on fair and transparent elections. His allegations of back-dated orders underscore potential issues that may affect the integrity of the association’s electoral process.
The fallout from this resignation might have broader implications for cricket administration in Jammu & Kashmir, as stakeholders await the next steps from both the court and the governing board. Stakeholders have voiced the necessity for reform and clarity in the association’s operations to maintain trust and stability in the cricketing framework of the region.
As the cricketing community focuses on the implications of these developments, analysts believe that this resignation could trigger a wave of accountability within the committee, further compelling the association to align its practices with judicial directives.