Political Turmoil in Punjab Cricket Association Amid Allegations Against Harbhajan Singh
Emerging Controversy in PCA
A new political upheaval is unfolding within the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) following a wave of resignations among its secretaries. A life member, who also has a background as a former first-class cricketer, has lodged serious accusations against Harbhajan Singh and other PCA officials with the ombudsmen of both the PCA and the BCCI. The complaint alleges that they have been endorsing their friends and relatives as life members of the organization.
Harbhajan Singh previously served as the Chief Cricketing Advisor for the PCA. However, it remains unclear whether he still occupies this role, as there is no updated information available on the PCA's official website or from its office bearers. The complainant claims that Harbhajan has facilitated life memberships for at least 15 of his close family members and associates. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the inclusion of relatives of other officials, which allegedly occurred last year before the recent elections.
Rakesh Handa, a life member, asserted that numerous relatives of Harbhajan have been inducted in contravention of the Lodha Committee's guidelines for merit-based governance. “I have submitted a detailed list of Harbhajan’s relatives who received life memberships. He is not alone in this; family members and associates of other officials have also been included. Alarmingly, some individuals previously banned by the BCCI and ICC for their involvement in bookmaking have also been added to this list,” Handa stated.
In response to these allegations, Harbhajan Singh remarked, “I am not aware of any complaint. If one has indeed been filed, I trust that the relevant authorities will take appropriate action.” In 2022, Harbhajan had addressed an open letter to PCA stakeholders, highlighting discrepancies and illegal activities under the leadership of former PCA president Gulzar Inder Chahal. He noted, “The core issue is that the PCA is attempting to induct 150 members with voting rights to sway the balance in their favor, and these inductions are occurring without the approval of the apex council or general body, nor with the consultation of the Chief Advisor (Singh).” Chahal subsequently resigned from his position.
A PCA official has confirmed that an internal committee has been established to investigate these allegations.