The BCCI Ombudsman has ruled that Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon is no longer eligible to continue in office after determining that he had completed the maximum cumulative tenure permitted under the governing rules. The order, issued by Justice Arun Mishra (Retd.), also declared the secretary’s post vacant after concluding that Menon had completed nine years as a member of the Managing Committee and an office-bearer.
The ruling stems from a complaint filed by Dolphin Cricketers, a KSCA institutional member, which argued that Menon’s service across different positions should be counted together when calculating the tenure limit. Justice Mishra accepted that interpretation, holding that the cumulative period of service had reached the maximum permitted under the regulations.
“Rules under the provision of cooling off. The Respondent No. 3 (Menon) has completed a cumulative term of 9 years as a member of the Managing Committee and as an office-bearer; he is disqualified u/s 6B(3)(g),” Justice Arun Mishra (Retd.) stated in his order.
Ombudsman explains cumulative tenure interpretation
A key aspect of the ruling was the interpretation of how time served in different administrative roles should be calculated. The Ombudsman concluded that periods served as a Managing Committee member and as an office-bearer could not be treated separately when applying the tenure cap.
“The office bearer is also a member of the Managing Committee or Apex Council,” Justice Mishra noted.
“As such, it is apparent that his tenure has to be cumulated for holding the post of Managing Committee as ‘office bearer’ or as ‘Managing Committee member’, otherwise the entire purpose of the nine-year cap each for BCCI and State association would stand diluted,” he added.
The decision also observed that Menon had completed the maximum permissible tenure on December 16, 2025, despite assuming office as KSCA Secretary following the association’s elections later that month.
KSCA to examine legal options
The Karnataka State Cricket Association responded by confirming that it is reviewing the Ombudsman’s ruling before deciding its next course of action. In a statement issued on behalf of the association, KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad said the legal implications of the decision were still being assessed.
“We have taken note of the order passed by the BCCI Ombudsman and are presently examining it in detail. Appropriate legal advice is being sought to evaluate all remedies and options available under the law. At this stage, it would not be appropriate to offer any further comments until the legal implications of the order have been comprehensively examined,” Prasad said.
The KSCA President also pointed to what the association believes is a legal inconsistency between the latest ruling and an earlier decision delivered by the KSCA Ombudsman.
“This is particularly so since the order dated 05 February 2026 was passed by the Hon’ble Ombudsman of the KSCA, Justice (Retd.) A.S. Bopanna, which is binding on all members under the KSCA Bye-laws, but unfortunately, the BCCI Ombudsman has taken a contrary view on the issue,” he added.
Prasad said the association was examining how the two rulings interact before determining its next steps.
“The legal effect and interplay of the two orders are presently under examination. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue to act in the best interests of the Association while ensuring full compliance with the applicable legal framework,” he said.
He added that the association would provide a further update once the review had been completed.
“A further statement, if considered necessary, will be issued upon completion of the legal review. We thank the media for its understanding, patience, and continued support,” Prasad said.
The ruling is likely to draw wider attention across cricket administration as it reinforces the interpretation that cumulative service across multiple governance roles must be counted when applying tenure limits for office-bearers within state associations.
