The Disciplinary Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is probing the alleged irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by its suspended chairman Lalit Modi, set a new precedent today, by allowing Modi’s lawyers to represent him in the inquiry.
Earlier, BCCI wanted anyone facing enquiry to be present before the committee in person. Modi’s advocate Venkatesh Dhond, along with his attorney Mehmood M Abdi, has submitted that the allegations against Modi are of a serious nature. Complex legal issues are involved, particularly in relation to the interpretation of the contract documents. He has further submitted that one of members of the committee is a person with a legal background. “We feel it would be just and fair if Modi is allowed to be represented through a lawyer in the enquiry,” BCCI said in a statement minuting the proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee.
Modi’s lawyers faced the three-member committee where they were informed that the panel might question Modi in person. The suspended IPL chairman is currently abroad.
“We wanted to know if Modi would be available for that purpose on such dates as and when required. Both have informed us that at this stage they have no instructions to this effect and they would inform us in the next hearing of the committee,” it was stated in the minutes. The Disciplinary Committee has three members — interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin, Arun Jaitley and Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Jaitley is a renowned senior advocate and has been an former Union minister for law and justice.
Dhond also informed the committee about Modi’s letters to BCCI regarding the recusal of its members. “We would like a response from BCCI on the said letters. Dhond wanted to file some additional plea in this regard to substantiate his request for the recusal of members. It has been decided that the supplementary plea may be filed by Modi before July 18. The consolidated response from BCCI should reach us along with an advance copy to the representatives of Modi by July 25,” the committee stated.
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Modi had asked for the recusal of BCCI President Shashank Manohar from the Disciplinary Commiittee following which Manohar had dropped out. He had also sought recusal of Amin and Jaitley as he contended they would be biased against him during the proceedings.
On Thursday, the Bombay High Court had dismissed Modi’s petition asking it to quash BCCI’s proceedings against him and appoint an independent panel to hear his case. Modi has accused Amin of having a grudge against him and during the hearings for the case. He had also argued against Jaitley, saying he had voted to ratify the charges against Modi at the BCCI’s special general body meeting on July 3.