BCCI to "intervene" in Supreme Court case on Modi issue

Faced with the tricky issue of how to deal with the possible re-entry of banned former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi into Rajasthan Cricket Association, the BCCI today decided to become a party in the Supreme Court case challenging the RCA polls and get its position clarified.

The decision to "intervene" in the Special Leave Petition filed in the Supreme Court, was taken in an Emergent Working Committee meeting of the Board to discuss the possible implications of Modi's re-entry into the RCA.

"The Working Committee meeting of the BCCI was held today to decide the course of action to be followed to enforce the decision of the Members to expel Mr Lalit Modi. It was noted by the members that Lalit Modi had contested for the post of President in the elections of Rajasthan Cricket Association notwithstanding his expulsion by BCCI," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a release.

"The members decided that the BCCI must intervene in the SLP filed by Mr. Rungta in the Supreme Court challenging the Rajasthan Sports Act and get clarified the position of BCCI to enable the enforcement of its resolution passed on 25th September 2013 expelling Mr. Lalit Modi." it said.

The Board, however, made it clear that "subject to the decision of the Supreme Court, strict disciplinary action should be taken against the delinquent member while protecting the interest of the game in the state of Rajasthan".

The Working Committee and other invitee members also discussed other important issues pertaining to the activities of its Anti-Corruption Unit pursuant to a presentation by Ravi Sawani, besides also taking up income tax issues.

Modi was allowed to fight for the post of RCA president in the December 19 elections held under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed observer. The results of the polls are expected to be known on January 6 when the matter relating to the RCA comes up for hearing before the Supreme Court.