Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Supreme Court has disposed of the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), paving the way for an independent examination of the association’s accounts while ensuring that any further action is taken only after all stakeholders are heard.
The apex court observed that the Bombay High Court at Goa had directed only a fresh audit of the association’s financial records and the submission of the audit report before it. It requested the High Court to revive the concluded proceedings for the limited purpose of considering the report after hearing both sides.
The Supreme Court further clarified that no consequential orders should be passed solely on the basis of the audit findings without first providing the concerned parties an opportunity to present their case.
The dispute arose after the GCA challenged an order issued by the District Registrar and Inspector General of Societies on May 29 appointing a panel of independent auditors to scrutinise the association’s accounts.
Earlier this month, the Bombay High Court at Goa dismissed the association’s petition, holding that the Registrar had acted within the authority granted under the Societies Registration Act. The Court had also observed that directing an independent audit was only an interim measure to facilitate an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities and did not amount to a final adjudication of the issues involved.
With the Supreme Court declining to interfere with the audit process, the independent financial review will continue. However, any action arising from the audit report will now depend on the High Court’s consideration of the findings after hearing all parties concerned.
