N Srinivasan cannot represent BCCI in ICC meeting: SC
17 April 2017 5:09 PM GMT
The Supreme Court on Monday said former BCCI President N Srinivasan cannot represent the board in the April 24 ICC meeting as he has been held guilty of "conflict of interest" and "abuse of authority".
The Apex Court allowed acting secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Amitabh Chaudhary, to represent the board in International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting and asked BCCI's CEO Rahul Johri to accompany him.
The court was informed that Srinivasan and Niranjan Shah, who were rendered ineligible to become office-bearers in the BCCI and state cricket associations by virtue of the Apex Court's verdict, could participate in Tuesday's special general body meeting of BCCI and may be nominated to take part in the ICC meeting.
"N Srinivasan cannot go (for ICC meeting)," a Bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.
"This person (Srinivasan) was held guilty by this court for conflict of interest and abuse of authority. He cannot go," the Bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said, adding "a man, once having a conflict of interest, cannot go". "Regard being had to the significance of representation of the BCCI in the said international body, i.e. ICC, it is directed that Amitabh Chaudhary shall represent the BCCI before ICC and Rahul Johri shall accompany him and also attend the meeting of the chief executive officers," the Bench said. The top court, on January 22, 2015, had barred Srinivasan from contesting any BCCI polls unless he forsakes ownership of an IPL team. The court had also assailed the amendment in BCCI rules permitting cricket administrators like Srinivasan to have commercial interest by owing teams in IPL and Champions League and had said it was bad on grounds of conflict of interest.
During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocates representing the parties in the matter said that Chaudhary was a qualified person and was well-versed with all the facts. So he could be nominated to attend the ICC meeting.
Senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for the apex court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), said the issue was whether a person who has been disqualified by virtue of the court's verdict, could be nominated to represent the BCCI in ICC meeting in which revenue-sharing between the members of the apex cricket body would be discussed, apart from other issues.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who was appearing for the cricket associations of the armed forces, association of universities and Railways, told the court that a person having the know-how and experience of at least 15-20 years in the affairs of cricket body should go to attend the ICC meeting.
To this, the Bench said: "We agree on this. We can send this second man (Niranjan Shah) who is 74 years old but having experience of 40 years." "We have names of two persons in our mind, Shah and Chaudhary," the Bench said, after which Chidambaram said the court can appoint anyone to attend the ICC meeting but Johri should be allowed to accompany him. "We will zero in on Amitabh Chaudhary, who is the acting secretary of BCCI," the Bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on July 14.
No clarity on Srinivasan's SGM attendance despite verdict
Even as the Supreme Court rendered N Srinivasan ineligible to attend ICC meeting as BCCI representative, confusion remained over the Tamil Nadu strongman's participation in Tuesday's Special General Meeting to discuss a five-point agenda.
The Supreme Court has named joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and CEO Rahul Johri as the two representatives at the ICC Annual General Meeting on April 27 and 28.
"I don't think there is anything that stops me from attending the SGM. But since you are asking me whether I am attending tomorrow (Tuesday) SGM, it is because you want a headline.
You won't get it from me," Srinivasan said.
Meanwhile, the SGM will now have a five-point agenda after the Supreme Court clarified on BCCI's representatives.
"The primary discussion will be on ICC Governance and Revenue structure.
The pending legal issues and appointment of ombudsman will also be discussed," a BCCI official said. The meeting will start at 5 pm in the evening.
"N Srinivasan cannot go (for ICC meeting)," a Bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.
"This person (Srinivasan) was held guilty by this court for conflict of interest and abuse of authority. He cannot go," the Bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said, adding "a man, once having a conflict of interest, cannot go".
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