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In a move to block the re-entry of Lalit Modi, the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) has decided to become a party in the Supreme Court case challenging the Rajasthan Sports Act.
The Rajasthan Sports Act allowed Modi, who was expelled by the BCCI in September, to contest for the post of President in the Rajasthan Sports Association.
"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 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," said a release.
"The members decided that the BCCI must intervene in the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by 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 Modi." it said.
The BCCI also decided that subject to the decision of the Apex court, strict disciplinary action should be taken against the delinquent member while protecting the interest of the game in Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Cricket Association representative and Lalit Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi told reporters outside the BCCI's Working committee meeting venue, “Working committee firstly is not authorised to even deliberate on the issue of dis-qualification. This is a fundamental and essential right. Let them take action, we will show them the right way”.
Abdi, who flew down from Jaipur to make RCA's representation in the meeting, was not allowed inside and claims that he was blocked by private bouncers at the venue - ITC Sheraton Park Hotel & Towers, Chennai.
He also said, “some collective stamp is mooted to show to the court and to the public that RCA has done something wrong. We have not done anything wrong, what has been done during the election (for RCA's President post) was as per the law and as per the Rajasthan Sports Act, which is in force. Elections were conducted on its due term and the Supreme Court appointed two observers to complete the process of the election”.
"All the objections, which were taken note of here against Modi have been fully deliberated by the two Supreme Court appointed observers, who are retired Supreme Court and High Court Judges and they found that Modi is fully competent to contest the election, their is no bar in the Rajasthan Act which disqualifies Modi from contesting for any of the post," said Abdi.
The Working Committee and other invitee members also discussed other important issues pertaining to the activities of the anti corruption unit pursuant to a presentation of Ravi Sawani on the income tax issues etc., said the statement which was signed by Sanjay Patel, honary secretary of BCCI.
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.
