High Court restores K.N. Shanth Kumar’s candidature for KSCA presidential poll

Justice Suraj Govindaraj sets aside the Returning Officer’s rejection order, clearing the way for K.N. Shanth Kumar to contest the December 7 KSCA election.

The upcoming Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) presidential election received a major development today after the Karnataka High Court restored the candidature of K.N. Shanth Kumar. The court set aside the Returning Officer’s earlier decision that had invalidated his nomination papers.

The matter was heard by a single-judge Bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj, who ruled that the Returning Officer’s order rejecting the papers would not stand. The court instructed that the election must be conducted strictly as scheduled on December 7, as previously directed during the earlier round of hearings involving internal disputes within the association.

Also Read:Karnataka High Court directs KSCA elections on December 7, quashes poll delay

Shanth Kumar, representing the Prajavani-Deccan Herald Sports Club, had filed his nomination for the KSCA President post against former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad. His papers were initially turned down by the scrutiny panel, which had cited technical deficiencies and pending dues of ₹200 from the club he represented. This rejection prompted him to move the High Court through a writ petition.

The court observed that the grounds cited for rejection were insufficient to prevent a contest in an election already under judicial supervision. With the Returning Officer’s decision now quashed, Shanth Kumar officially re-enters the electoral race backed by the Brijesh Patel faction.

Also Read:‘KSCA elections can be held as scheduled,’ says Brijesh Patel team

The KSCA has been directed to move ahead with all procedures for the December 7 poll without any alteration to the approved schedule.