Shillong, July 1: The Meghalaya High Court has stayed the proposed Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) scheduled for July 3, while also suspending the resolutions and consequential actions arising from the Emergent Apex Council Meeting held on May 9, 2026. The Court further directed that the MCA Ombudsman shall continue to discharge his functions in accordance with the Association’s Constitution until further orders.
The interim order was passed by Justice H.S. Thangkhiew in an application filed by MCA President James P.K. Sangma in connection with an ongoing writ petition challenging the actions of several office-bearers of the Association. The petitioner alleged that the respondents had undermined the constitutional governance of the MCA and attempted to interfere with the authority of the duly appointed Ombudsman.
Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that the Honorary Secretary had convened an Emergent Apex Council Meeting on May 9 without the mandatory concurrence of the President and in violation of an interim stay issued by the Ombudsman. It was further submitted that a subsequent notice dated June 27 convening an SGM on July 3 was also without authority, particularly as the Honorary Secretary had been suspended from office following findings of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) relating to the alleged cover-up of sexual harassment complaints made by members of the MCA Under-23 Women’s Cricket Team.
The petitioner contended that the MCA Constitution vests the management of the Association in the Apex Council and provides for an independent Ombudsman to adjudicate disputes. The Court was informed that the Ombudsman had been duly appointed during the 26th Apex Council Meeting on March 7, 2026, with the participation of several respondents, but subsequent actions sought to nullify that appointment despite an order issued by the Ombudsman suspending further proceedings arising from the May 6 notice convening the disputed meeting.
The Court also noted submissions regarding complaints filed by six members of the MCA Under-23 Women’s Cricket Team before the MSCW and the Ombudsman, alleging sexual harassment, intimidation and institutional inaction by officials and support staff. According to the petitioner, following the MSCW proceedings, disciplinary action was taken against the concerned officials, including the suspension of the Honorary Secretary on June 27.
After considering the submissions and available records, the High Court observed that the respondents had participated in the March 7 Apex Council Meeting where the Ombudsman’s appointment was approved, and that the petitioner had established a prima facie case warranting interim protection.
Pending further hearing, the Court ordered that the June 27 notice convening the July 3 Special General Meeting shall remain suspended, along with the resolutions and consequential actions arising from the May 9 Emergent Apex Council Meeting. It also directed that the Ombudsman continue to function in accordance with the MCA Constitution and clarified that the respondents are at liberty to seek modification or vacation of the ex parte interim order before the next hearing.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 21, 2026.
