Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) issue has taken another, gargantuan turn as the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered against Himachal Pradesh government action of taking over of the all properties of the cricket body. High Court ordered the restoration of possession of HPCA properties to the cricket body run by Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur.

A division bench of Chief Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice Kuldip Singh, after lengthy arguments of the learned counsels of both sides, ordered status quo ante with respect to the government decision taking over the properties. The bench observed that the Govt action was a politically motivated.

With the interim order, now HPCA will be able to retain all cricket grounds till further orders by the high Court.

The interim order comes on a writ petition filed by the HPCA, opposing the government decision on the ground that it was not given proper opportunity to be heard before the decision was taken. Earlier, state government had taken over the stadium along with other HPCA properties including stadiums and five star hotel ‘The Pavilion’ Oct 26.

The government had cancelled the lease of lands given to the HPCA, then a society and now a company, and took possession of its properties.