In a reprieve to former Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi, the Bombay High Court on Saturday stayed the cricket board's disciplinary proceedings against him over alleged financial irregularities.
A vacation bench of justice SJ Kathawalla and justice UD Salvi stayed the proceedings till January 10, observing: "In my view it has made out a prima facie case that the BCCI cannot appoint two disciplinary committees under rule 13 and further that the BCCI cannot authorise a disciplinary committee to proceed with an inquiry in absence of its president."
Modi faces allegations of financial irregularities in the conduct of IPL. The disciplinary panel was due to meet in New Delhi on December 27 and 28. Modi's lawyers - senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, counsel Amit Desai and advocate Mehmood Abdi - argued that as per BCCI rules, there can be only one panel and it has to be appointed at every AGM.
During the AGM held on September 29, the BCCI had not appointed any disciplinary committee and that it was acting contrary to its own constitution and bye-laws, Jethmalani argued.
{{/usCountry}}During the AGM held on September 29, the BCCI had not appointed any disciplinary committee and that it was acting contrary to its own constitution and bye-laws, Jethmalani argued.
{{/usCountry}}On December 11, BCCI held a special general meeting for extending the period of the earlier disciplinary panel and to constitute another panel under its rules. Modi had earlier challenged the legality of the panel comprising Arun Jaitley, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chirayu Amin saying it did not have the AGM’s mandate. Jethmalani argued the BCCI did not respond to an application to the disciplinary panel to stop further proceedings.