Santhosh Karunakaran wins relief as Supreme Court invalidates KCA’s lifetime ban.
SC STRIKES DOWN LIFETIME BAN ON FORMER RANJI PLAYER SANTHOSH KARUNAKARAN
In Santhosh Karunakaran vs Ombudsman Cum Ethics Officer, KCA & Another, the Supreme Court quashed the Kerala High Court and Ombudsman’s orders that had dismissed the appellant’s plea for implementing model cricket byelaws and led to his lifetime ban from the Kerala Cricket Association. The Court found serious lapses in transparency, unfair denial of documents, and violations of natural justice during the Ombudsman’s proceedings. The appellant’s exclusion for not impleading District Cricket Associations was unjustified. Consequently, the Court allowed the appeal, reinstated his rights, and remanded the matter to the Ombudsman for fresh adjudication within three months.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Santhosh Karunakaran vs Ombudsman Cum Ethics Officer, Kerala Cricket Association and Another |
| Introduction | Appeal under civil appellate jurisdiction challenging the Kerala High Court’s dismissal of writ petitions against Ombudsman’s order rejecting the plea due to non-impleadment of District Cricket Associations. |
| Factual Background | Appellant, an ex-Ranji player and member of TDCA, filed an application seeking model byelaws for KCA and its districts. Ombudsman rejected it due to non-impleadment of DCAs. Later, KCA blacklisted and banned him. |
| Legal Issues |
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| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | The Supreme Court found the proceedings before the Ombudsman lacked transparency. The appellant wasn’t given fair access to records. The Ombudsman’s direction for impleadment wasn’t communicated properly. KCA’s blacklisting decision was based on flawed judicial process. |
| Conclusion | All impugned orders, including the blacklisting and life ban by KCA, were set aside. The case was remanded to the Ombudsman for fresh hearing within three months. |
| Current Scenario | Appeal allowed. Proceedings revived. Ombudsman directed to pass a reasoned order after hearing all parties. Santhosh Karunakaran’s status and rights with the KCA are restored. |
“Transparency and fair hearing are the cornerstones of justice, even in internal sports governance.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
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