The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) from announcing the list of eligible candidates for the association’s presidential elections, scheduled for December 7. The court’s directive comes amid a legal challenge to the rejection of a nomination by sports administrator KN Shanth Kumar.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order on Wednesday after Kumar, whose presidential nomination was rejected on technical grounds, approached the court seeking to quash the electoral officer’s decision. The interim restraint prevents the KSCA electoral body from publishing the names of eligible contenders until the matter is heard further on Thursday.

Disputed Nomination and Allegations of Misconduct

Kumar, director of The Printers (Mysore) Pvt Ltd and a member of “Team Brijesh,” backed by former India cricketer Brijesh Patel, filed a writ petition challenging the November 24 order rejecting his nomination. The electoral body had cited an outstanding subscription fee arrear of ₹200 from the sports club Kumar represented, M/s Deccan Herald and Prajavani Sports Club, as the reason for disqualification.

Kumar contended that the arrear did not pertain to him personally and that he was not a founding member of the club. He argued that the KSCA’s rejection was an overzealous technicality or an attempt to bar him from the electoral contest. “The rejection of a presidential nomination over ₹200 creates an impression not of strict adherence to rules, but of overzealous technical policing or worse, of an attempt to keep a particular contender out of the fray,” Kumar’s petition stated.

Kumar further noted that the arrears had been paid before the scrutiny of nominations and that there had been no demand for the same. He pointed out that his club had been allowed to participate in state tournaments and the 2025 elections, implying that the alleged default had never previously been treated as a disqualifying factor. He described the ₹200 arrear as a “curable defect” and said he would submit video evidence to prove that the payment was made within the stipulated time.

Opposition and Other Candidate Developments

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, whose unopposed election was set following Kumar’s disqualification, opposed the petition. Represented by senior advocate Prabhuling Navadgi, Prasad argued that Kumar could not approach the court after his nomination had been rejected.

Additionally, Kalpana Venkatachar, a former cricketer aligned with Prasad’s camp whose candidature for president had been approved, withdrew from the race. However, she requested the court to restrain the KSCA from taking any final action regarding her withdrawal. The High Court granted her request, with further proceedings scheduled for Thursday.

Election Timeline and Court Oversight

The KSCA elections are scheduled to be held on December 7, in compliance with an earlier High Court order directing the association to conduct elections. The timeline for scrutiny of nominations began after Kumar filed his nomination on November 15, followed by a High Court direction on November 21 to conduct nomination scrutiny. Kumar’s nomination was subsequently rejected on November 24.

The ongoing litigation has introduced uncertainty regarding the presidential race, with the court temporarily preventing the association from announcing the final list of eligible candidates. The High Court will continue hearing the matter on Thursday, allowing both parties to present evidence and arguments before any final decision is taken.

Significance of the Case

The case highlights issues surrounding electoral procedures and technical compliance within sports associations in India. It raises questions about whether minor administrative oversights, such as small subscription arrears, should be treated as grounds for disqualification, particularly when the affected individual has a legitimate claim to candidacy. The court’s intervention reflects the judiciary’s role in ensuring fair and transparent election processes in professional and sports organizations.

The outcome of the hearing will determine whether KN Shanth Kumar can participate in the December 7 presidential elections and whether other candidates’ nominations, including withdrawals, will be recognized. Meanwhile, the interim order maintains a status quo to prevent any premature announcements or decisions by the KSCA electoral body.