THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Supreme Court has disposed of the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) that challenged the order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa upholding an independent audit into the association's affairs.
The apex court observed that the High Court had merely directed a fresh audit of the GCA's accounts, and that the report be placed before it. The SC also requested the High Court to revive the disposed-of proceedings for the limited purpose of hearing both sides on the audit findings.
It further clarified that any consequential action arising from the fresh audit report, if warranted, shall be taken only after both parties are heard.
The development follows the High Court's July 6 judgment dismissing the GCA’s writ petition challenging the District Registrar and Inspector General of Societies’ May 29 order appointing a panel of independent auditors to examine the association's accounts.
The Bench had held that the Registrar acted within the powers conferred under the Societies Registration Act and that the direction for an independent audit was only an interim measure to facilitate an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities, not a final determination affecting the association's rights.
