Justice Mudgal finds rampant corruption, nepotism in DDCA : Usual, usual!

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has been under the scanner for the past year and has served to bring to light the dirty underbelly of Indian sports administration. The indefatigable Justice Mudgal has overseen the creditable conduct of multiple matches at the Feroz Shah Kotla while conducting his inquiry into the major misdoings at the Board. As skeletons tumbled out of the DDCA's closet, including former President Arun Jaitley, more was expected to follow in the final report of the inquiry.

The retired judge submitted his 27-page report yesterday before a Delhi High Court bench of justices S Muralidhar and Nazmi Waziri, reported PTI.

"Internal Audit has pointed out various deficiencies in maintenance of accounts, record keeping, systems and procedures, internal controls, information system and also payments made to various parties which are not in compliance with financial manual," the report said.

"It is advisable that the said amount is utilised for improving the stadium facilities and cricket facilities under the supervision of an independent financial expert of credible reputation with assistance of a specialised dedicated team of DDCA officials constituted by BCCI," the report said, adding that it will "help Feroz Shah Kotla regaining the international standards it had".

The most pernicious influence affecting DDCA's administration is ever present MR CK Khanna, who is vice-president of DDCA for several years and also happens to be Vice president of BCCI, though from Central Zone. He controls large number of proxies and accordingly has strong hold in DDCA. He excels in evading responsibility and claiming credit for an achievement by someone else. His paramount interests are peddling of complementaries to gain favours and satisfy proxy interest, and mounting dais repeatedly for presentations. He craves for every photo opportunity.

Mudgal also pointed out possible Conflict of Interest issues hovering over Khanna.

"He has planted his relatives in various positions in DDCA, for example a) Anil Khanna (general Secretary, first cousin) b) Ravi Khanna, Patron (brother) c) Vivek Gupta, Joint Secretary (Wife's first cousin). This is a clear case of Conflict of Interest."

"Mr CK Khanna is one person whose latent actions along with his proxy controlled acolytes have brought down the reputation of DDCA. Delhi which has given several great cricketers to the Indian cricket team including the present Test captain, now languishes in second tier of Ranji Trophy. All those who want to work only in interest and betterment of cricket are hampered and prevented at every stage by the influence of CK Khanna. A restoration of erstwhile glory may not be possible with Mr CK Khanna controlling the affairs of DDCA."

"It is advisable that DDCA has a full time Chief Executive Officer, who independently looks after the administration and financial aspects of DDCA to ensure continuity and smooth functioning of DDCA. BCCI as the parent body must ensure that DDCA is transparent in its functioning as it is public body responsible for promoting cricket in Delhi," the report said.