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SC makes stay of Madras HC order in BCCI case absolute
NEW DELHI: Jagmohan Dalmiya, the most powerful man in Indian cricket, had reason to celebrate today. The Supreme Court, in a ruling delivered this morning, directed the the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take urgent measures to put in place the elected team headed by Ranbir Singh Mahendra, Dalmiya’s candidate for the top post.
The apex court did, however put a little spoke in Dalmiya’s wheel when it refused to vacate a ruling by the Madras High Court that had put a stay on the Board’s “invitation” to Dalmiya to become its patron-in-chief.
The apex court directed the BCCI to convene immediately the incomplete AGM of 29 September, 2004 so that the adjourned meeting could be concluded and the tenure of the old board headed by Dalmia would come to an end and the new panel of members could take charge of the affairs of the board.
However, the apex court left open the issue of the legality of the elections in which Mahendra defeated Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar by a slender margin of one vote, that too by the casting vote of Dalmia himself, the Press Trust of India reported.
The Court said “it would still be open for the aggrieved party to question the legality or validity of the September 29 meeting.” A bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice S B Sinha made absolute its 11 October, 2004 interim order staying a Madras High Court order appointing Justice S Mohan as the interim administrator of BCCI for the purpose of elections of the body.
However, it kept silent on the interim order it passed on that day restraining Dalmiya from becoming the patron-in-chief of the board, merely noticing that there was a stay operating on this issue from a Chennai Court.
SC TAGS ESS PLEA ALONGSIDE TEN SPORTS Vs DD CASE
The Supreme Court today issued notices to Prasar Bharti and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on a petition filed by ESPN challenging a Kerala High Court judgement directing it to share its live feeds for the Indo-Bangladesh cricket series with Doordarshan.
The Court said as the event is over, there is no need of an interim order and directed the matter to be tagged along with the petition filed by Ten Sports wherein similar relief was sought against Doordarshan for the India-Pakistan series last year, PTI reported.
Indiantelevision.com’s efforts to contact Prasar Bharati officials proved futile and Trai said that it would respond to the apex court’s notice through proper channels.
The court, however, was silent on the fact whether a final judgment on the Ten Sports-DD case is likely to be announced soon or not. The court is hearing a clutch of cricket-related cases.
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.
