Bhutia hearing to continue

New Delhi:

The arbitrator appointed to settle Bhaichung Bhutia's suspension row with Mohun Bagan will have another hearing on Thursday before closing the proceedings after both the parties failed to reach an amicable solution here on Thursday.

Former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan had on Sunday asked Bhutia and Mohun Bagan to settle the issue amicably but both the parties refused to budge from their stated positions.

Arguments on Mohun Bagan's plea that the proceedings were reconciliation and not an arbitration process was heard while Bhutia's application for interim relief will be taken up tomorrow.

"The arguments remained inconclusive today so we will continue the hearing tomorrow," Sharan said.

Rupinder Singh Suri, from the Suri and Company which is representing Mohun Bagan in the case, said most of today's proceedings was on his client's plea that the proceedings were not of arbitration but one of reconciliation.

"Our application that the case is a reconciliation and not an arbitration process was heard and it will continue tomorrow. The other party's (Bhutia's) application for interim relief is also on for tomorrow," he said.

Bhutia was present in person but left after around 15 minutes of hearing while his counsels Usha Nath Banerjee and Pradeep Aggarwal stayed back.

For Mohun Bagan, club secretary Anjan Mitra, their counsel Gita Nath Ganguly and lawyers from Suri and Company were there at Sharan's residence here.