Court questions cricket board’s secretary on dual role

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Thursday suggested to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N. Srinivasan to either contest election for the presidentship of the cricket body or retain his interest in Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise of Chennai Super Kings.

The court was hearing a petition alleging conflict of interest involving Srinivasan who is also the vice chairman and managing director of company India Cements which owns the franchise of Chennai Super Kings.

“What great prejudice would be caused to you (Srinivasan) if you continue with the India Cements and Chennai Super Kings and not hobnob with the BCCI,” said an apex court bench of Justice J.M. Panchal and Justice Gyan Sudha Misra.

Justice Misra asked senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi to take instructions from his client Srinivasan on the court’s suggestion.

Justice Misra said the “conflict of interest was a core issue and the nagging question is can you continue in dual position”.

The apex court was hearing an appeal by former BCCI president A.C. Muthiah contending that Srinivasan being the BCCI secretary and vice chairman and managing director of India Cements was involved in a conflict of interest that was expressly prohibited by the unamended rules of the BCCI.

Appearing for Srinivasan, Rohtagi said that Srinivasan and India Cements were two distinct identities and could not be merged in each other for establishing the conflict of interest case.