Jammu, July 3, KDC: A Jammu court has granted ad-interim relief to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) by staying the operation of a notice and a press statement allegedly issued by Javed Ahmad Kitab and temporarily restraining him from exercising the powers of the office of the President of the association till the next date of hearing.
The order was passed on July 2 by the Court of the Sub Judge/Special Mobile Magistrate, Jammu, in a civil suit filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association through its Honorary Secretary, Vivek Khajuria, seeking declaration, permanent prohibitory injunction and mandatory injunction against Kitab. The matter has been listed for further proceedings on July 6.
According to the plaint, the JKCA submitted that Kitab, despite an interim suspension allegedly imposed by the Apex Council on June 25, 2026, continued to issue communications, convene meetings and represent himself as the President of the association.
The plaintiff further alleged that such actions had resulted in competing claims of authority and confusion among affiliated units, players, officials, sponsors, banking institutions and other stakeholders regarding the lawful administration of the association.
The plaintiff also contended that Notice No. JKCA/PR/SGR/53 dated June 25, 2026, the Special General Meeting allegedly held on June 27, 2026, and the press statement issued thereafter were unconstitutional, without authority and in violation of the JKCA Constitution and an earlier court order. It sought interim protection pending adjudication of the suit.
After hearing parties and examining the material placed on record, the court observed that, at this stage, the plaintiff had raised substantial issues requiring adjudication and had succeeded in making out a prima facie case for interim protection.
The court noted that unless interim relief was granted, competing claims of authority could result in administrative uncertainty, multiplicity of proceedings and consequences affecting the governance and functioning of the association.
It further held that the balance of convenience lay in favour of the plaintiff and that irreparable loss could be caused in the absence of interim protection.
Accordingly, the court stayed the operation and effect of Notice No. JKCA/PR/SGR/53 dated June 25, 2026, the press statement dated June 27, 2026, and all consequential proceedings or actions taken pursuant thereto until the next date of hearing.
The court also temporarily restrained Kitab from representing himself before members, affiliated units, public institutions, financial institutions or other stakeholders as exercising the powers of the Office of the President of JKCA.
He was further restrained from issuing communications or taking administrative decisions in the name of the association until the next hearing, reads the order a copy of which is in the possession of news agency Kashmir Dot Com
The court, however, clarified that the interim order should not be construed as expressing any opinion on the legality of the allegations against the defendant or as recognising or affirming the validity of the resolutions passed by the Apex Council of JKCA.
It also made clear that the defendant would remain at liberty to file his written statement and objections, participate in the proceedings before the Ombudsman and seek any relief available under law before a competent forum. (KDC)
