BCCI moves SC to stop Lalit Modi

BCCI on Thursday moved Supreme Court, challenging the law, Rajasthan Sports Act 2005, which allowed Lalit Modi to contest Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections last month despite being banned by BCCI for life. Modi was allowed to fight for the president’s post under the supervision of a SC-appointed observer. BCCI said in its petition any association of Modi with RCA will affect the image of the board. Polls were held on 19 December and the ballot boxes were sent to Supreme Court which will open them for counting on 6 January. In September last year, BCCI had slapped life ban on Modi for financial irregularities between 2008 and 2010 when he was IPL commissioner. Supreme Court appointed retired judge NM Kasliwal as principal observer to oversee RCA polls following a petition filed by former BCCI treasurer and RCA secretary Kishore Rungta. He had sought court’s direction for appointment of a retired judge to conduct RCA elections. The apex court in its November order had said individual members shall not cast their votes and the result of the election shall be subject to the final outcome of the appeal which is pending before the SC. Earlier, BCCI had decided to challenge the said act in SC at its working committee meeting. Earlier BCCI had threatened to suspend RCA if Modi was allowed to contest. However, RCA told BCCI Modi was within his rights to contest under the Rajasthan Sports Act.