The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar has been authorised to initiate civil and criminal cases against Lalit Modi on account of IPL-related losses suffered by the BCCI. Concurrently, the BCCI will run disciplinary proceedings against the suspended IPL Chairman.
The BCCI's Special General Meeting (SGM) appointed Jyotiraditya Scindia, president, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) and Union Minister of State, as a member of the three-member Disciplinary Committee (DC) at the cricket centre here on Saturday. The other two members are Arun Jaitley and Chirayu Amin. While Mr. Jaitley and Mr. Amin are vice-presidents of the BCCI representing North and West Zones, the latter is also the interim-chairman of the IPL.
Twenty-nine full members of the BCCI and the president constitute the voting members at the SGM. “The house after deliberating the third item of the agenda [to discuss and take appropriate decisions with regard to the conduct of the IPL and matters arising thereof] resolved that the president of the BCCI should be authorised to take all legal actions, including civil and criminal, for wrongful loss to the BCCI against Lalit Modi and any other person,” Mr. Manohar said.
Explaining the SGM's decision to choose Mr. Scindia as the third member of the DC, Mr. Manohar said: “He is a person who is not associated with the day-to-day functioning of the BCCI. Lalit Modi has accused me of bias and N. Srinivasan (Secretary, BCCI) of bias. So the SGM thought that Mr. Scindia would be a fit person. That was the view of all the members at the SGM.''
From now on it will be the responsibility of the DC to enquire into all charges mentioned in the three show cause notices. “The DC has to present its report within six months from the date (April 26) of the first show cause noticed served on Mr. Lalit Modi. The standard of proof required in disciplinary proceedings and civil and criminal cases are different. In a disciplinary committee proceeding even on a preponderance of probability, one can hold somebody guilty. But in a criminal case it has be to beyond reasonable doubt. Lalit Modi will be given notice again and asked to appear before the DC. He can also examine witnesses,'' said Mr. Manohar.
Asked about the number of contracts signed without the knowledge or approval of the IPL Governing Council, he said: “There are certain rights awarded without a contract in place. For example ‘Ticketgenie' was the company that printed tickets for the semi-finals, final and the play-off match for the third and fourth place position. We don't know how many tickets were printed and how many were sold. Mr. Modi signed the contract with World Sport Group [in April 2009] and he said he's not aware of the facilitation fee of $ 80 million. We also have a document showing that the travel agency [that handled IPL] is basically controlled by the Modi family and his mother being the chairman and MD.”
Mr. Manohar said it was premature to say anything about the future of Rajasthan Royals in IPL. “The DC has to enquire into the matter [ownership details] and place the report before the general body. Since Rajasthan Royals has been approved by the AGM, any decision with regard to the IPL will have to be taken by the general body.''
According to sources, the government investigating agencies like Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate and the Company Law Board (CLB) have questioned the legality of the IPL signing the Rajasthan Royals franchise contract with Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt. Ltd, when the bid for Jaipur franchise was won by Emerging Media.
