Jammu, November 8: A Jammu court’s rejection of a complaint against BCCI President Mithun Manhas, coupled with a police inquiry finding no material evidence of alleged date-of-birth manipulation, has raised questions over the campaign targeting the cricket administrator.
A JKCA official alleged that certain individuals, including Sandeep Mehta, had attempted to malign Manhas despite the absence of supporting evidence. The official claimed that the allegations appeared to be driven by frustration among sections of the former Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) establishment over the ongoing transformation of cricket administration in the region.
He said Jammu and Kashmir cricket had witnessed a historic turnaround in recent years, highlighted by the team’s maiden Ranji Trophy title, increased representation of local players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and opportunities for cricketers from the region to represent the Indian national team.
According to the official, Mithun Manhas has played a significant role in bringing national recognition to J&K cricket and creating opportunities for local talent that had remained neglected for years.
“The very people who failed to take J&K cricket forward and were associated with a system facing allegations of corruption and mismanagement are now uncomfortable with its success. Efforts to break that cycle and introduce accountability have clearly unsettled the old establishment,” the official said.
He further maintained that the Ranji Trophy triumph, growing IPL representation and selection of J&K cricketers at the national level reflected the progress achieved by the region’s cricket administration.
The official said that allegations and attempts at character assassination should not be allowed to overshadow the achievements of Jammu and Kashmir cricket.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the allegations against Manhas, with the court’s decision and police inquiry findings becoming central to the controversy.
