Modi files appeal against HC order directing enquiry by BCCI

A day before the BCCI's Disciplinary Committee is expected to start its enquiry against Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman has appealed in the Bombay High Court against an earlier order directing for the cricket board to initiate the enquiry proceedings.

Justice S J Kathawala had on March 4 dismissed Modi's application challenging the existence of the Disciplinary Committee, formed last year to look into charges of financial improprieties against Modi during his tenure as IPL chairman.

Rapping Modi for trying to delay the procedure, the court had also lifted its interim stay on the proceedings of the committee and had directed for the cricket board to initiate the enquiry.

A division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R G Ketkar today after hearing Modi's counsel Ram Jethmalani and BCCI's counsel Rafiq Dada's arguments has kept the matter for further hearing on Tuesday.

"We had sought for stay on the DC enquiry pending disposal of the appeal. We would now request with BCCI to postpone the enquiry till the High Court decides on our appeal," Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi said.

BCCI counsel Rafiq Dada argued that DC is like a domestic tribunal which will only be conducting an enquiry and submitting its findings. The ultimate decision making body is the Board.

Modi had challenged the very existence of the DC, saying its term expired on September 29 last year and it was not reconstituted.