Meghalaya HC upholds MCA secretary's suspension, voids rival meetings

The Meghalaya High Court has upheld the suspension of Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni and declared meetings held by the rival faction invalid, handing a clear win to MCA president James P.K. Sangma in the long-running dispute over control of the association.

In a 22-page judgment pronounced on Friday, October 30, Justice H.S. Thangkhiew dismissed Kharkamni's petition against his suspension, Hub News reported. Sangma had suspended him on June 27, 2026, using his powers under Rule 18(a) of the MCA constitution.

Why the court backed the suspension

The court held that the suspension was a valid interim administrative step, given the findings of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) about an alleged deliberate cover-up of sexual harassment complaints made by players.

The judgment referred to MSCW Order No. 522 of June 26, which recorded that official complaint emails dating back to December 2025 had been suppressed. According to the court, the suspension was needed to protect the complainants and preserve evidence while formal disciplinary proceedings were referred to the association's Ombudsman.

Kharkamni had argued that discipline could only be handled by the Apex Council under Rule 41(b). The court said that rule did not bar emergency interim measures under Rule 18(a), especially in view of Section 12 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013, which allows interim relief while a complaint is being inquired into.

Rival meetings declared illegal

The court also allowed Sangma's own petition against parallel meetings called by the other side. It declared the notice for a Special General Meeting dated June 27 invalid, and held that resolutions passed at meetings on May 9 and September 7 were illegal and non-est, meaning they have no legal effect.

The May 9 meeting lacked the quorum required under Rule 30(b) and was called without the president's agreement, the court found. It said the September 7 meeting was held despite a court order that was still in force and amounted to an attempt to get around judicial directions.

Ombudsman, assets and safety of players

The court declined to take up a challenge by Kharkamni and other office-bearers to the appointment of retired Justice B.D. Agarwal as the MCA Ombudsman. It allowed him to keep functioning until the appointment is formally taken up at the next annual general meeting.

It also flagged that Kharkamni could face disqualification if it is shown that he kept holding an executive post in the Ri-Bhoi District Cricket Association after becoming MCA secretary.

Kharkamni and the other respondents have been told to hand over all association assets, official email accounts and digital credentials within two weeks. The MCA has been directed to strictly implement the POSH Act and set up workplace safety protocols, preferably within six weeks. The court observed that the crisis had exposed failures in protecting the association's women players.

It is not yet known whether Kharkamni will appeal the ruling.