Kalra cleared to play for Delhi, age-fraud charge to be probed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 20

Former U-19 India opener Manjot Kalra has received temporary relief from the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) ombudsman to play for the state team again.

Kalra, who scored an unbeaten 101 against Australia in the U-19 World Cup final in 2018, was barred last month by the then DDCA ombudsman, Justice (Retd) Badar Durrez, Ahmed for alleged age fraud.

However, the new ombudsman, Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma, has amended the order. Incidentally, the order came on the day when India’s U-19 team launched its defence of the title won in 2018.

“There is nothing to be excited about today’s order,” Kalra told The Tribune. “But I am happy that I got cleared to play again, and I am ready to play again.”

Can play U-23 too

In his order, Justice Verma stated that Kalra does not need to furnish any undertaking to play again. “In view of facts and circumstance of the case, it is a fit case where the order dated 16.12.2019 deserves to be modified to the extent that without furnishing any undertaking by Mr Manjot Kalra, he shall be allowed to participate for and behalf of Delhi in the Ranji Trophy and all other Open Age Category matches, until further orders,” Justice Verma wrote.

“At this stage, Mr Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director (Cricket of DDCA) requested that he should also be permitted to play in the matches for category under age 23. I, therefore, direct DDCA to allow Mr Manjot Kalra to play in the matches for category under age 23 also, obviously if he is selected,” he added. “This is an Interim Order passed, looking into the facts and features of the cases.”

Apex Council to probe

However, the ombudsman directed DDCA’s Apex Council to examine the complaint against Kalra. “After having gone through the unamended Article 42 (1) (c) of the Article of Association, it is further directed that in the meanwhile the Apex Council shall independently examine the case of Mr Manjot Kalra on merits and submit its report to the Ombudsman, which is pre-requisite condition to take cognizance of the allegations as has been levelled against him,” Justice Verma added.