Srinagar, June 2, KDC: The establishment of a dedicated office space for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Mithun Manhas at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) headquarters in Srinagar has sparked debate over expenditure, administrative propriety and the evolving power structure within the newly elected UT cricket body.
The office, located within the JKCA complex at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Sonwar, has drawn attention as it represents an unusual arrangement, with a sitting BCCI president operating from a designated space within a state association’s premises rather than primarily from the Board’s headquarters at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai.
According to sources familiar with the development, the office space was renovated and upgraded shortly after Manhas assumed office as BCCI President. Sources alleged that the renovation work was carried out under the supervision of former JKCA sub-committee member and ex-cricketer Majid Dar.
Questions have since been raised regarding the expenditure incurred on the refurbishment and whether the works received all necessary administrative and financial approvals.
“An audit would help establish the nature of the expenditure, the approvals obtained and the authority under which the work was executed,” a source familiar with the matter said.
The development comes at a time when JKCA is undergoing a transition following the restoration of an elected body after years of administration under a court-appointed and subsequently BCCI-backed governance structure. The newly elected JKCA body is headed by President Javid Kitab.
Some stakeholders contend that the continued influence of individuals associated with the previous administrative setup has created perceptions of overlapping authority within the association. They argue that the arrangement risks undermining the autonomy of the elected body envisaged under the Supreme Court-mandated democratic process.
The issue also gained attention during Manhas’s recent visit to the Srinagar facility. Sources claimed that despite both the BCCI President and the newly elected JKCA leadership being present within the stadium complex, no formal interaction or courtesy meeting took place between Manhas and JKCA President Javid Kitab.
A former JKCA office-bearer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while there is no specific rule prohibiting a senior BCCI official from maintaining a regional office, the practice remains uncommon.
“The infrastructure belongs to the state association. Traditionally, any significant structural modifications or long-term allocation of space would involve consultation with the elected leadership of the association,” the former official said.
Another former office-bearer said that the BCCI President ordinarily functions from wherever official commitments require while the Board’s day-to-day administration is handled by its professional staff at the Mumbai headquarters.
“The concern being raised is not merely about location but about perceptions of administrative overlap at a time when the elected body is still establishing itself,” the former official said.
Responding to the allegations, former cricketer Majid Dar denied having any continuing role in JKCA affairs or in managing the office space.
“My appointment was made by the BCCI long before Mithun Manhas became President. I resigned immediately after the JKCA elections were held,” Dar said.
Rejecting claims that he continues to oversee operations at the Sonwar complex, Dar said that he has not visited the administrative office since stepping down.
“Why would I go there when I no longer hold any position?” he said.
Dar also dismissed suggestions of financial irregularities, asserting that the association’s accounts have been subjected to regular audits.
“This is the cleanest association over the last five years. Every aspect has been audited,” he said.
Praising Manhas’s role in JKCA’s revival, Dar said the BCCI President had played a significant role in restoring club cricket and facilitating the return of elected governance within the association.
On the reported differences between the BCCI leadership and the newly elected JKCA administration, Dar alleged that disagreements stem from the refusal to accommodate what he described as “illegal demands.”
“The BCCI President choosing to operate from his home state should be seen positively. He heads the institution and his presence benefits JKCA,” Dar said.
JKCA Member Administration Brigadier Anil Gupta (Retd) also rejected suggestions that a parallel BCCI office was being run from Srinagar.
“People are misinformed. BCCI office-bearers do not run the Mumbai office. The office is managed by the CEO and professional staff. Office-bearers provide guidance and oversight,” Gupta said.
He described Manhas’s decision to function from Jammu and Kashmir as beneficial for the region.
“J&K is fortunate that the BCCI President has chosen to operate from here,” he said.
On reports of the absence of a formal meeting between Manhas and the newly elected JKCA president, Gupta said protocol was clear.
“He is the BCCI President. If someone wishes to meet him, they can seek an appointment and meet him,” Gupta said.
Responding to questions regarding Majid Dar’s role in the renovation work, Gupta said the office space had been developed several months ago when the previous administrative arrangement was still in place.
“He was looking after the Srinagar office at that time. There was nothing unusual about that. The office was created four to five months ago, not recently,” Gupta said. (KDC)
