BCCI, Secretary directed to file counters

Chennai:

The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the BCCI and its secretary to file counters in response to a suit, seeking to set aside an amendment to its regulations, excluding IPL and T20 Champions League from the purview of a clause, which prohibits any administrator from having commercial interests in matches conducted by the Board.

When the civil suit, filed by former BCCI President A C Muthiah came up before the court, Justice P R Shivakumar issued notice and adjourned the hearing of the case to Jan 20.

As per clause 6.2.4 "no administrator shall have direct or indirect commercial interests in the matches or events conducted by the BCCI." In his suit, Muthiah also sought an injunction, restraining N Srinivasan from functioning as Secretary of the Board and the President of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).

He pointed out that Srinivasan, as Managing Director of India Cements Ltd, the successful bidders of Chennai Super Kings, the Chennai franchisee, had derived direct commercial interests in the IPL.

Muthiah contended that Srinivasan in clear violation of the clause, even while he was treasurer of the Board and TNCA president, had committed India Cements to bid for the franchise IPL rights for ownership of the teams.

Muthiah contended that the Board, at its Annual General Meeting on September 27 last, had amended the clause to exclude IPL and CLT20.

He submitted that the amendment "is totally illegal and opposed to public policy, malafide exercise of power and abuse of the powers of the BCCI."