BCCI Fails To Reach A Decision On Modi’s Recusal Issue
The BCCI disciplinary committee, which was supposed to give its decision on Lalit Modi on the 1st of August, adjourned the hearing without agreeing to Modi’s request for removing Chirayu Amin, the interim IPL chairman and Arun Jaitley, the BCCI vice president. Modi had, on more than one occasion asked for the removal of the two men from the panel, saying they harbored a grudge against him and that he did not trust them to make an unbiased decision.
Modi’s lawyer, Mehmood Abdi said the committee has indicated that it would no longer entertain any requests for the removal of Amin and Jaitley. “There will be no further hearing on the issue of recusal and no date has been fixed for the decision. The panel has legal luminary like Jaitley and I think the committee will take a decision after considering all the arguments counter arguments and rejoinder by both the parties.” Abdi said.
The BCCI issued a statement where they stated that they would notify both parties when a decision was reached, but gave no indication as to when the next meeting would be held. It was also revealed that the suggestion of having a retired Supreme Court judge was being reconsidered. This decision would have to wait for the next committee meeting, where it’s expected that the reconstitution of the panel will also be decided.
Another issue which arose was the question by the committee of whether Venkatesh Dhond, one of Modi’s lawyers would be legible to be called as a witness during the proceedings. A source inside the BCCI told reporters that one of the documents presented to Modi’s lawyers by the BCCI contained hand written notes by Dhond, which made the BCCI re-think his role as Modi’s lawyer and a witness.
However, PR Raman, the board’s lawyer told reporters that it would not be necessary. The press release stated: “Mr. Raman clarified that it was the intention of the BCCI to rely [on] these documents is to refute the statement of Mr. Lalit Modi that by the aforesaid mentioned letter, extension was granted to WSG Mauritius on the advice of Ms. Akhila Kaushik, whereas it was Mr. Dhond who has advised on this. Mr. Raman clarified that they do not intend to call Mr. Dhond as a witness in this case since the document is admittedly written by Mr. Dhond which Mr. Dhond has accepted.”
Modi, who did not attend the meeting, but joined in via video conferencing, said that he might be willing to consider that possibility. But his update on Twitter, said otherwise, “just heard that BCCI want my lawyers to recuse themselves! Shocked since meeting was for committee's recusal.” He was also not satisfied by the way the enquiry was being carried out, another post stated, “People party to all decisions don't want to recuse themselves. But want my team who are presenting my case too. Is this how an enquiry is done?”
This is the third hearing, and no decision has been reached by the disciplinary committee. The committee now has until 26th October to reach a decision and submit its recommendations to the board. The whole Modi saga started when the BCCI suspended Modi following an investigation and allegations that financial irregularities had occurred while Modi was in charge. Irregularities were also found in the mid-over ad sales and the sales of the theatrical rights, and Modi was accused of conspiring to set up a rebel league in England. Modi denied all charges.
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