Ratnakar Shetty 1, MCA 0

Ratnakar Shetty was a happy man on Saturday. The Bombay high court upheld the city civil court’s order of staying the five-year ban imposed on him by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

Justice Anoop Mohta called the ban “pre-determined and drastic” and directed the MCA to accept Shetty’s nomination to represent the Bombay Union Sports Club.

“The decision to debar the respondent (Shetty) from their (MCA) point of view may be administrative, but it affect his legal rights. It seems like a pre-determined and drastic punishment by the MCA without first seeking an explanation from the respondent. The principle of natural justice has failed,” the judge observed.

“This vindicates my stand. I have not said anything wrong. Whatever issue I had raised was in the interest of the association. It was raised in the AGM which is a forum available to a member to put up his issues,” an elated Shetty told dna. “I am very very happy that the high court dismissed the appeal,” added Shetty, who is the BCCI’s general manager for game development.

Shetty further added that the attack on him was personal. He, however, refused to name his ‘enemy’. “It is a personal agenda. One gentleman does not want me to be in MCA. He is insecure and wants to ensure I do not contest the elections. I don’t want to say who it is. It is gross injustice, it’s vendetta,” said Shetty.

Shetty will now strive to challenge a constitutional amendment made by the MCA. The association had, in July, decided to debar any BCCI or MCA employee from contesting its elections. “I will challenge this in court, but I have not decided when,” he said.