Team Herald
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PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Inspector General of Societies, District Registrar, North, to hold the annual general body meeting of Goa Cricket Association (GCA), on January 5.
GCA President Vipul Phadke had approached the High Court challenging the order of the Inspector General of Societies to put on hold the special general body meeting convened by him on December 15, 2024 on a complaint filed by Secretary Rohan Gauns Desai.
The GCA president had called the special general body meeting to discuss the Inquiry Committee report submitted after conducting an inquiry into the allegations of harassment levelled by the women cricketers against the Director of Coaching Sarvesh Naik.
The petitioner alleged in the writ petition that the secretary was attempting to scuttle the meeting to protect Sarvesh as the family of the secretary had business relationship with Naik, who was accused of harassment by the women players. It was further pointed out in the petition that the players who had complained were also dropped from the Goa squad.
The High Court has directed that the deferred meeting must also consider the agenda about the Inquiry Committee report. The High Court has further directed that the general body meeting must also discuss which version of the minutes recorded is the correct version.
The High Court has appointed Adv Yogesh Nadkarni as an observer to oversee the meeting. He will be assisted by Adv Simran Khadilkar and And Nilay Naik. The meeting will also be videographed and the report has to be presented to the High Court on January 15, 2025. The next date of hearing is fixed on January 20.
Senior Advocate Subodh Kantak and Adv Abhijit Gosavi argued on behalf of the petitioner.