Plans injunction against April 26 meet
MUMBAI, APRIL 22
The war in the Cricket Board intensified today with Lalit Modi planning to move court against the Governing Council meeting that may oust him from the post of IPL Commissioner as BCCI accused him of hiding details of stake-holding by his relatives in franchisees.
The embattled Modi was tonight said to be considering moving the Bombay High Court seeking an injunction against the April 26 meeting where Governing Council member M A K Pataudi says he would be ousted if he keeps away.
Some top lawyers are expected to appear for Modi who has contended that the Monday meeting was illegal as only he had the power to convene it.
BCCI President Shashank Manohar shed his reticence to attack Modi who had threatened to reveal details of franchise ownership. He also rejected Modi’s contention on the meeting and said it would go ahead as scheduled.
He dismissed Modi’s claim of BCCI secretary N Srinivasan having a conflict of interest in owning Chennai franchisee.
“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 every body,” the BCCI President said.
Manohar said that it was the then BCCI President Sharad Pawar who had given Srinivasan permission to bid. It was India Cements, a company which bid and was accepted by the general body.
Manohar also said that Srinivasan convened the meeting not as the owner of the team but was empowered by the Board constitution to do so.
Manohar also said it was improper of 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 BCCI and Modi himself had earlier agreed not to divulge details but now he was selectively leaking mails.
Meanwhile, Pataudi said that Modi should step down if he has so much conviction in his innocence.
Asked if Modi should step aside in the best interest of IPL, Pataudi said, “Yes. I think so. Let these allegations and accusations come to some kind of conclusion and let’s see because he’s kept on saying …for the last few weeks that he’s done nothing wrong. So fine, if he has done nothing wrong, let them take it out.
