Panaji: The Ombudsman of Goa Cricket Association on Friday gave clean chit to its President Vipul Phadke, who was accused by a fellow executive committee member of indulging in malpractices while distributing the funds to various clubs.
GCA executive member Mahesh Desai had filed a complaint before the Ombudsman Justice (Retd) Rajiv Mehrotra accusing Phadke of being involved in illegal release of grants to various clubs during recently held election of the Association.
The complaint had mentioned that Phadke had “influenced the election in his favour” thereby violating the Code of Conduct settled for election by the BCCI.
Phadke was holding charge as GCA Secretary from 2019-2022, while election was held on August 02, 2022.
The complaint had mentioned that Phadke, the then Secretary of GCA decided to allot funds and various other benefits to some member clubs which are members of the Goa Cricket Association with voting rights, just on the eve of elections when the election procedure had already commenced between October 06, 2022 to October 27, 2022.
Defending his case, Advocate Saish Mhambre, representing Phadke argued that the pattern of assistance the month of October has been fixed for supply of grants to different associations.
“Therefore, it cannot be said that the then Secretary Vipul Phadke had violated any of the Rules or Code of Conduct for Elections,” the lawyer argued.
In his order, the Ombudsman said that on the basis of the above discussion it is evident that Phadke has performed his routine duties and did not violate any Rules. It is also evident that the Grant to different Clubs were issued as per Pattern of Assistance. Thus, the complaint of Desai has no force and is liable to be rejected.
