Modi replies to showcause notice on IPL 3 theatrical rights

Mumbai:

Suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi on submitted his reply to the third showcause notice issued to him by the BCCI alleging irregularities in awarding theatrical rights during the third season of the Twenty20 event, his legal counsel said.

"Modi e-mailed his reply to the BCCI tonight. I will submit the hard copy of his reply to the Cricket Board tomorrow," Modi's legal counsel Mehmood Abdi told PTI here.

Abdi also indicated that Modi has demanded recusal of BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Secretary N Srinivasan from participating in any disciplinary proceeding against him in his reply to the third showcause notice.

"Modi has reiterated his demand for recusal of both Srinivasan and Manohar. The trail of showcause notices issued to Mr Modi shows that the Honorary Secretary is misusing his position in the BCCI to settle personal scores with him," Abdi said.

"There is a continuous issuance of showcause notices wherein the allegations are wholly misconceived and irresponsible. The notices are being issued despite full knowledge that no material warranting their issuance existed.

"In the interest of justice and fairplay it is incumbent upon Srinivasan to totally exclude himself. The BCCI President (Manohar) may consider recusing himself from all proceedings involving Mr Modi in present and future," Abdi added.

With regard to the third showcause notice issued to Modi, Abdi said the BCCI had not done its homework properly.

"It seems that in the BCCI somebody has not done the homework properly, otherwise the matter would not have necessitated any showcause.

It's a matter of routine internal procedure and record. Still we are submitting our explanation covering all the angles and concerning all the issues," he said.

"Though I don't want to trivialise the issue, still with a view to slap another showcause notice, a mountain has been made out of molehill," Abdi added.