BCCI suspends RCA after Modi's return to power

Minutes after Lalit Modi was declared elected president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), the Indian cricket board Tuesday suspended the state body on charges of misconduct.

The results of RCA elections, which were held Dec 19, were announced in Jaipur by Supreme Court-appointed observers Justice (retd) N.M. Kasliwal and Justice (retd) S.P. Pathak declaring Modi the winner by a landslide. Out of 33 votes, Modi got 24.

The BCCI cited a Supreme Court order while suspending the RCA and said that interim president Shivlal Yadav took the decision under the authority vested in him by the Board's constitution.

"As per Order dated 30/4/2014, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had directed that if it is found by BCCI that any person has acted against its rules, regulations or law, which is to be enforced by it, it would be open to it to take action against such a person. In pursuance of the order, under authority vested in him as per Regulation 32 (vii) of the Rules and Regulations of BCCI, Mr. Shivlal Yadav, Interim President, BCCI, has suspended the Rajasthan Cricket Association from the membership of the BCCI, pending disciplinary proceedings against it on charges of misconduct," said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel in a statement.

Last week the Supreme Court had asked its observers to release the results of the elections. The votes, cast by 33 district units, were submitted to the apex court in a sealed envelope by the observers.

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Modi, who is living in self-exile in London, was banned for life by the BCCI in September 2013 on charges of "indiscipline and misconduct".

The SC also said that anyone, including the BCCI, if aggrieved at the outcome of Modi's win, could challenge this before the authority concerned.

Patel said that keeping in mind the interest of the players, the BCCI will appoint an ad-hoc body to run the affairs of the game in Rajasthan.

"Keeping in mind the interests of the sport of cricket and in order to safeguard the best interests and welfare of the cricketers playing the game in different age-groups and their future, an ad-hoc committee will be constituted shortly by the BCCI," said Patel.