The Supreme Court of India has declined former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin's plea to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) slated for February 18. This decision comes after a series of legal proceedings surrounding Azharuddin's involvement in the HCA and his eligibility to participate in its affairs.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma turned down Azharuddin's application, opting to postpone the hearing of all related pleas to a later, non-miscellaneous day in April. 

The genesis of the case a can be traced back to February 14, 2023, when the Supreme Court appointed retired Justice L Nageswara Rao to oversee the HCA's pending elections. Justice Rao subsequently issued orders in September 2023, barring Azharuddin from contesting in the HCA elections. The rationale behind this decision was Azharuddin's alleged violation of norms by simultaneously serving as the President of the Deccan Blues Club.

Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal has been pivotal in assisting the Court throughout this legal process, ensuring that the Court remains apprised of the steps taken by Justice Rao in overseeing the HCA elections. Despite the counsel's efforts, today's plea by Azharuddin's legal team to allow his participation in the AGM on February 18 was met with refusal by the bench.