Supreme Court Overturns Kerala High Court's Decision in Favor of Former Ranji Player
Santhosh Karunakaran's Blacklisting and Life Ban by Kerala Cricket Association Quashed for Lack of Procedural Fairness
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has quashed the orders of the Ombudsman and Kerala High Court, which previously rejected the writ petition and appeal of former Ranji Trophy player Santhosh Karunakaran on grounds of alleged concealment of material facts and unclean hands. The apex court's decision underscores the importance of procedural fairness and transparency in legal proceedings.
The case stems from an appeal filed by Karunakaran, challenging the Ombudsman cum Ethics Officer's decision and subsequent blacklisting by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). The former cricketer argued that the proceedings lacked transparency, and he was denied access to pertinent records. Despite these contentions, both the Single Judge and Division Bench of the Kerala High Court upheld the Ombudsman’s decision, leading to Karunakaran's life ban from all cricket activities under the KCA.
The Supreme Court, presided over by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, observed that the proceedings before the Ombudsman were indeed non-transparent. They highlighted that the appellant was not provided with relevant documents and faced technical issues during virtual hearings. Moreover, the court noted that the original application filed by Karunakaran was not adversarial, as it primarily sought the implementation of uniform byelaws in line with the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee recommendations.
In their judgment, the Supreme Court emphasized the necessity of procedural fairness and the right to a fair hearing, which were overlooked in the initial proceedings. The apex court quashed the orders of the Ombudsman dated 3rd October 2020, and the Kerala High Court's judgments dated 27th January 2021 and 21st June 2021. Consequently, the KCA's decision to blacklist and impose a life ban on Karunakaran was also struck down.
The Supreme Court's ruling reinstates the appellant's original application for fresh adjudication. The court has mandated that all concerned parties be given an opportunity to present their case, ensuring a transparent and fair process. The Ombudsman is directed to pass a reasoned order within three months from the submission of the certified copy of the judgment.
This judgment not only reinstates Karunakaran's rights but also reinforces the principles of justice and fairness in administrative and legal proceedings, setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
