News Headline
Delhi HC: BCCI open to judicial review
NEW DELHI: Didn’t we say that the cricket saga is full of twists and turns?
Even as the Supreme Court is refereeing whether the Indian cricket board is a ‘state’ or not within the parameters of the definition of Article 12, the Delhi High Court today held that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is open to judicial scrutiny as it is performing ”public functions” and has a duty towards the public.
In the same vein, according to agency reports, however, the court maintained that the Board would continue to be a private independent body.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice BD Ahmed, held that the BCCI was performing “public functions” like the `State’ and was as such amiable to writ petition.
However, the judges also said the Board will continue to be a private independent body and will not be open to writ jurisdiction on issues like telecast contracts and its internal rules, agencies reported today.
On 18 August, 2004, the Delhi HC had reserved its order on the question of maintainability of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into the functioning and accounts of the Board.
The PIL, filed by advocate Rahul Mehra and businessman Santanu Sharma in April 2000, had sought an independent investigation into the Board’s functioning and account of five years (1995-2000). It called for ensuring that BCCI accounts were audited transparently by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Board functioned primarily for the promotion and
development of Cricket.
While the petitioners said BCCI was performing a public function (of the State), the Board had challenged the locus of the petitioner to raise such an issue in a writ petition saying neither was the Board a ”State” nor an ”instrumentality of the State”.
The Court, however, had asked how could the BCCI-sponsored team sport the nation’s name and don the national colours. ”Who had given the Board the permission to do so?” the bench asked.
On 16 July, the division bench had directed BCCI to furnish within 15 days complete details of its finances and activities after the Board had submitted a 21-point broad outline on its income, expenditure and activities.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
