Modi separated IPL from BCCI: RCA official

JAIPUR - Rajasthan Cricket Academy (RCA) Secretary Sanjay Dikshit has taken Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi to task over the Kochi bidding controversy and accused him of separating the IPL from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“IPL lacks discipline,” said Dikshit, adding that Modi took all decisions in his own self-interest.

Further criticizing Modi, Dikshit said: “Modi is an autocrat in cricket.”

Pointing fingers at Modi’s character, Dikshit said two cases were registered against him in a drugs deal in America, where he had gone for his studies.

“One case was registered on March 1, 1985, while the other was registered on April 2, 1985,” said Dikshit.

Meanwhile, IPL Governing Body members have called for a meeting in Dharamsala to discuss the issue.

Sources said Modi has not been invited for the meeting. BCCI President Shashank Manohar may preside over the meeting as Co-IPL chief.

Income Tax officials on Thursday conducted a raid at the IPL headquarters and at Modi’s office in Mumbai. They also quizzed Modi on the bidding process and the ownership of all IPL teams.

The officials are probing the source of funding for the Twenty20 league and any increase in income of the franchisee owners. They are expected to look at the IPL bidding process in detail.

They will also examine various contracts by the IPL and its demands of Rs 120 crore advanced tax.

The Income Tax Department had earlier issued four notices to the IPL, asking it to clear income tax dues.

Kochi franchise spokesman and former MP Satyajit Gaekwad had alleged that Modi was acting under pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who after failing to secure a franchise for the state-based Adani Group, wanted the Kochi franchise to shift base to Ahmedabad. (ANI)