Mumbai:
In a major relief for NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the Bombay High Court has ordered that he can continue functioning as the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
MCA Lawyer VA Thorat told reporters, "The order that was passed by the trial court had placed an injunction on Sharad Pawar from functioning as the President. That has been set aside by the appeal court and now he can function as the President. The suit will continue to be heard in the trial court."
On November 26 a lower court in Mumbai had passed an interim order restraining Mr Pawar from functioning as MCA president. Mr Pawar had approached the high court earlier this month against that order.
The case relates to a plea filed by BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who had asked the lower court to restrain Mr Pawar from functioning as MCA president pending hearing of his suit challenging his election.
Mr Munde had pleaded that the disqualification of his candidature was "illegal" and asked for fresh election for the post of the president. His application was rejected by the election officer on the basis of his residential status, observing that the address on his electoral registration was Beed. According to MCA rules, only a Mumbai resident can become the president of the cricketing body.
Mr Munde had told the court that Mr Pawar, who was declared elected unopposed, should not take charge and should not be allowed to discharge the functions of the president.