‘BCCI secretary was a declared bidder'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has accused IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi of hiding details of stake-holding by his relatives in franchises.

BCCI president Shashank Manohar dismissed Mr. Modi's claim of BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan having a conflict of interest in owning Chennai franchisee.

“Mr. Srinivasan was a declared bidder. If Modi and his relatives had a share in any of the franchises, he ought to have declared it at the meeting. I was not a member of the Governing Council then. He ought to have told everybody,” Mr. Manohar said.

He said that it was the then BCCI president Sharad Pawar who had given Mr. Srinivasan permission to bid. It was India Cements, a company which bid and was accepted by the general body.

Mr. Manohar also said that Mr. Srinivasan convened the meeting not as the owner of the team but was empowered by the Board constitution to do so.

He also said it was improper of Mr. Modi to think of revealing details of the ownership patterns, saying there were complex legal issues and confidentiality clause.

“We have to look at the documents which we have never seen in our life and that's why we will discuss all issues in the Governing Council meeting, because, if required, we have to take legal opinion in that regard.”

He said he had the support of the BCCI and Mr. Modi himself had earlier agreed not to divulge details but now he was selectively leaking mails.