Panaji: The Bombay high court on Friday dismissed a petition by the Cycling Association of Goa, permitting 66 persons to be confirmed as members of the association.The court stated that they will be allowed to participate in the upcoming elections. The association went to high court challenging their membership on the pretext that the secretary of the association unilaterally accepted their membership forms and fees on behalf of the association without any resolution by the executive council.The HC observed that the only reason to deny membership could be to restrict the electorate. It added that the rules and regulations do not provide for a maximum number of members.“The petitioner association, although a self-regulating body, performs a public duty by exercising its regulatory machinery, since its objects include sending representative teams to participate in cycling matches within and outside the association’s jurisdiction, as well as nominating its members to participate in state and national competitions,” the HC held.“Thus, to this extent, the petitioner association performs a public function. The respondents have a right to be admitted as members of the association once they fulfill the membership criteria set out in the association’s rules and regulations,” the high court stated.
