With the Delhi high court allowing the BCCI to conduct its Special General Meeting (SGM) in Chennai on Wednesday, the decks are cleared for the board to impose a possible life ban on former IPL chairman Lalit Modi for alleged financial irregularities while being at the helm of cash-rich league from 2008-2010, says a report in Hindustan Times.
“The SGM, which is likely to be chaired by president in-exile N Srinivasan, has been convened to discuss the report of the Disciplinary Committee on Modi and decide the quantum of disciplinary punishment. Two-third of the majority will need to vote in favour of Modi's life ban. It effectively means that a minimum of 21 votes are required out of the total 31 units to make the former IPL czar a persona non-grata in the world's richest cricket board,” says the report.
"Save Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), expect no other BCCI units to support Modi tomorrow (Wednesday). Even PCA's case will depend on who attends the SGM -- president IS Bindra who is a Modi backer or secretary MP Pandove who is not known to possess a hardline stance," a BCCI official said.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, while Modi got a stay order from Patiala house court on Saturday, the Delhi high court gave a favourable verdict to the BCCI on Tuesday which literally ends any chances Modi harboured of escaping the life ban.
Modi was the IPL chairman-cum-commissioner during the first three editions but was suspended immediately after the closing ceremony in 2010, on charges of financial irregularities in running of the league as well as improper practices during auction of two new teams before the third edition.
During the suspension, a three-member disciplinary committee comprising political heavyweights Arun Jaitely and Jyotiraditya Scindia along with president Srinivasan was formed. But Srinivasan recused himself and the erstwhile IPL chairman Chirayu Amin was made a member. But subsequently Amin also recused himself and it became a two-member committee.
According to a report in The Tribune, Justice V.K. Shali set aside the trial court’s September 21 order restraining Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from holding its SGM scheduled for Wednesday. “So far as appeal of the BCCI is concerned, it is allowed,” the court said.
The High Court also dismissed Modi’s cross-appeal against the decision of the lower court which had declined to pass an interim order on his petition challenging the appointment of Sanjay Patel and Jagmohan Dalmiya in the BCCI by N. Srinivasan.
“Appeal of Lalit Modi is dismissed for the reasons that the relief claimed by him is the same relief which he had already claimed in the main suit before the trial court....it will tantamount to a decree passed by the High Court,” it said. Modi’s lawyers sought copy of the order on urgent basis saying they will file an appeal in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
While rejecting Modi’s arguments questioning the appointment of Dalmiya and Patel, the court said Srinivasan continues to be the president of BCCI and he is also vested with some power to appoint them as functionaries of the Board.
