In Brief
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association sought to quash FIRs registered against it and its office bearers for alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating, and conspiracy in obtaining leases for constructing a cricket stadium and hotel. The Supreme Court allowed the appeals, holding that no criminal offence was disclosed. While senior government officers who granted the leases were selectively not prosecuted despite their active roles, the appellants faced criminal charges. The Court noted that conversion of the society into a not-for-profit company was mandated by BCCI law, leases were granted under applicable rules with Cabinet approval, and the State retains ownership and cancellation power. Absent evidence of criminal intent and given selective prosecution patterns, the Court quashed both FIRs, finding the prosecution appeared motivated by political vendetta rather than genuine criminality.
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