The Mumbai Cricket Association today denied the charges levelled by BCCI GM (Game Development) Prof Ratnakar Shetty while replying to the legal notice sent by him and also refused to lift the five-year ban imposed as demanded by the senior administrator.
Shetty was banned by MCA for alleging that some office-bearers of the association could have indulged in black marketing of tickets of a T20 international between India and Pakistan at Ahmedabad on December 28.
According to sources the reply also rejected Shetty's contention that his name has been tarnished by MCA and that he had been a target of a personal vendetta.
"He is now free to drag the MCA to court, if he wishes," said a top MCA official.
Shetty, when asked whether he will move the court, said "yes, of course."
Shetty, who has served the association in various capacities over the last three decades, was banned by MCA for raising the possibility of black marketing of tickets by some of its office bearers.
MCA imposed the ban on June 3 after giving Shetty an opportunity to hear the voice recording of his allegations levelled at the association's AGM held on March 22.
Shetty heard the voice recording of the proceedings on May 28 and replied to the show cause notice the next day, which was rejected by the MCA who then decided to impose the ban.
The debarment prevents the veteran administrator from taking part in all activities of the association, including contesting the elections due in August.
