Shetty banned for 5 years before election

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Showing scant regard for his experience and administrative acumen, the Mumbai Cricket Association on Tuesday banned senior official Ratnakar Shetty for five years. Shetty, the BCCI General Manager, for Game Development, incurred the wrath of the officials after alleging in the MCA AGM held on March 22 that some members were involved in selling tickets in black marker for the T20I involving India and Pakistan held in Ahmedabad on December 28, last year.
Shetty, who has been an administrator for close to two decades, has served the MCA in various capacities. From a committee member, Shetty went on to represent the association as its secretary, treasurer and was even appointed vice-president.
With the MCA elections slated to take place in August, Shetty who was looking to challenge Ravi Sawant, the present president of the association will no longer be able to take part in any of the activities or represent any club associated with the MCA. Shetty’s ban is effective till June 2, 2018.
The association had warned Shetty over his comments and set up an inquiry. The committee gave Shetty time to listen to the video recording of the AGM and prepare a reply, which he did.
Shetty felt the ban was a result of personal vendetta. “I have raised an issue at the AGM of the Association pertaining to the misuse of MCA funds and have done nothing wrong. This is a personal vendetta by people who want to make sure that I do not contest the next elections,” said Shetty in a statement.
He added that he would challenge the decision in the court. “I will fight this kind of undemocratic decisions both within the association and legally.”
An association member admitted that the decision was harsh. “While his (Shetty) comments were unfounded, the call to ban him for five years is harsh. This is a move to keep him away from the association and any of its activities. This will have a major impact on the upcoming election.”
Shetty further said that he raised the issue against the club, which did not go down too well with the authorities. “Their ego was hurt that the two anti-club resolutions proposed by the managing committee had to be taken back by the chairman after I raised the issue on behalf of the members.”