THE TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION versus ANNA NAGAR CRICKET CLUB & ANR. ETC.

Citation: [2026] 3 S.C.R. 160 · Decided: 13-02-2026 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: PAMIDIGHANTAM SRI NARASIMHA · Disposal: Case Partly allowed

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Judgment (excerpt)

[2026] 3 S.C.R. 160 : 2026 INSC 154
The Tiruchirappalli District Cricket Association 
v. 
Anna Nagar Cricket Club & Anr. Etc.
(Civil Appeal No(s). 1613-1614 of 2026)
13 February 2026
[Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, JJ.]
Issue for Consideration
Issue as regards the applicability of the judgments in S.Nithya to 
the cricket associations; applicability of BCCI Constitution to the 
Appellant-District Cricket Association.
Headnotes†
Sports – Cricket – Cricket Associations – Applicability of the 
judgments in S.Nithya to the cricket associations – Respondent 
no.2-ex-office bearer of the appellant-association filed writ 
petition seeking directions that the appellant should conduct 
a free and fair election after preparation of a fresh voters list 
and impugned the decisions taken by appellant associations 
in not complying with the norms as laid down by the High 
Court in previous judgments in S.Nithya v. Union of India and 
Secretary; Tamil Nadu Olympics Association v. S. Nithya (‘S. 
Nithya’) directing that every state sport federation will comply 
with the direction regarding mandatory presence of eminent 
sport person in the federation – Writ petition allowed relying 
upon the judgments in S.Nithya observing that directions in 
Nithya’s case in respect of all sports organisations/clubs/
associations ought to be strictly adhered to – Challenge to:
Held: Petition in S.Nithya was only concerned with reforms in 
athletics governance and championships – Judgments in S. Nithya 
are not applicable to the factual conspectus of the present case – 
When the judgment in S. Nithya was delivered, the judgment in 
BCCI was already holding the field with the Constitution of BCCI 
having received the stamp of approval by this Court – There 
being no prescription or direction in the BCCI judgments on 75% 
membership in an association to be filled by eminent sports persons, 
coupled with no such direction providing that the qualification to 
be member of district association will be concomitant on a person 
being an eminent sportsperson, the directions in S. Nithya would 
[2026] 3 S.C.R. 
161
The Tiruchirappalli District Cricket Association v.  
Anna Nagar Cricket Club & Anr. Etc.
not be applicable to the fact of the present case concerning sport 
of cricket – Judgment of the High Court set aside to the extent 
indicated. [Paras 15, 26]
Sports – Cricket – Cricket Associations – Functioning of the 
appellant-District Cricket Association in the existing legal 
regime – Applicability of BCCI Constitution to the Appellant-
Association – Plea of the respondents that the appellant must 
amend its Constitution in conformity with the Constitution of 
the BCCI:
Held: The judgment in BCCI does not warrant District Associations 
to model their regulations and bye-laws on exact lines of the BCCI 
Constitution – No judgment or document was brought on record to 
demonstrate any understanding across the cricketing associations 
at the District Level to make their Constitution on exact lines as of 
the BCCI, nor any judgment which directs such a prescription – 
Impugned order, which directs the appellant association, also does 
not place reliance on BCCI per se, but rather on the judgment in 
S. Nithya which is distinguishable – Thus, the argument that the 
appellant must be asked to restructure its functioning and laws in 
terms of the BCCI Constitution, not accepted. [Para 20]
Sports – Cricket – Cricket Associations – Reformative 
measures – Necessary for State Association to initiate reforms 
to ensure that District Associations operate as professional, 
transparent, and in the best interests of the sport:
Held: Though enforcement of reform as contemplated in the BCCI 
judgment cannot be done through judicial review, it is open, rather 
necessary, for the State Association to initiate reforms to ensure 
that District Associations operate as professional, transparent, 
and in the best interests of the sport – Such reforms may include 
transparency in the selection of players and also the execution 
of contracts – In fact, District Associations must volunteer to 
adopt reformative measures such as good governance, refined 
management, transparency, and the exclusion of conflicts of 
interest. [Paras 21, 22]
Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 – Election of the 
appellant-association – Issues concerning membership and 
composition of the appellant pending before High Court and 
the statutory authority: 
162
[2026] 3 S.C.R.
Supr

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