Panaji, Goa – In a major development impacting the election process of the Cycling Association of Goa (CAG), the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the association to convene an urgent Executive Committee (EC) meeting to address the controversial induction of new members, a dispute that has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle.
Court Flags ‘Unilateral’ Membership Drive
The case revolves around allegations that the General Secretary inducted 66 new members without formal EC approval, raising concerns over procedural violations and possible attempts to influence the electoral process.
Petitioners challenged an earlier decision of the Inspector General of Societies that had validated the memberships, arguing that due process was not followed.
Emergency Meeting Under Judicial Oversight
The High Court has ordered a special EC meeting to be held on April 12, 2026, at 10:30 am, where a final decision on the disputed memberships is to be taken.
To ensure transparency, Advocate Shivan Desai has been appointed as a court observer. The matter will be heard again on April 16, 2026, when the EC’s decision and the observer’s report will be submitted before the court.
By-Law Ambiguity at the Core
During proceedings, the court noted that the association’s bye-laws lack clear provisions on membership eligibility and procedures, contributing to the ongoing confusion and dispute.
Legal experts believe this gap has allowed multiple interpretations, ultimately leading to the present crisis.
Impact on Elections
While the court has clarified it will not interfere mid-way in the election process, it has stressed that the membership issue must be resolved lawfully before final results are declared.
The EC’s decision is expected to directly determine the final voters’ list and candidates eligible to contest.
Salkar Explains Why Matter Reached Court
Senior cyclist Chetan Salkar, one of the key voices in the dispute, explained the background that led to the High Court intervention.
“The basic prayer of the petition was to induct 75 members. We had submitted applications to the Secretary during the membership drive, and all members had paid ₹500. However, the Executive Committee rejected all the applications, which forced us to approach the High Court,” Salkar said.
He added that the High Court initially stayed the elections and directed the matter to the Inspector General of Societies.
“There were two to three hearings before the Inspector General of Societies, and in the third hearing, an order was passed directing that all 75 members should be included in the association,” he stated.
Fresh Twist: Order Challenged Again
Salkar further revealed that the issue did not end there, as the decision of the Inspector General was subsequently challenged internally.
“That order was then challenged by the Treasurer of the Cycling Association of Goa. In today’s hearing, the court observed that either they will have to remove the original 33 members or include all the 73 members,” he said, adding that the detailed order was expected later in the day.
Call for Transparency
Welcoming the High Court’s intervention, Salkar stressed the importance of fair governance:
“This is a necessary step to restore credibility in the system. Membership cannot be decided unilaterally—there has to be transparency and collective decision-making.”
He also underlined the broader impact on the sport:
“The future of cycling in Goa depends on fair governance. We hope the EC meeting will bring clarity and ensure that genuine members are not sidelined.”
Road Ahead
With judicial scrutiny intensifying and internal divisions within the Cycling Association of Goa widening, the upcoming EC meeting is expected to be crucial in determining the association’s immediate future.
As the cycling community awaits clarity, the case has emerged as a significant test of governance, transparency, and democratic functioning within sports bodies in Goa.
Chetan Salkar a senior cyclist from Goa