BCCI denies plans to negotiate with Lalit Modi

MUMBAI - The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which turned down sacked Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi’s plea for reconstituting the disciplinary panel, on Thursday refuted reports that it had reached an understanding with him in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the T20 cricket tournament.

The BCCI denial came as the Supreme Court asked Lalit Modi and the BCCI to work out a compromise on the reconstitution of the disciplinary committee.

The apex court suggested that even if three existing members of the committee continue the proceedings, let them not take part in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) meeting, which will take action on the report.

It was reported that probe panel member Arun Jaitley and Modi’s lawyer Ram Jethmalani met on Wednesday night to work out an understanding on the issue.

The BCCI, however, denying the report, said that while the two did meet, no peace formula was on the agenda.

“Mr. Arun Jaitley and Mr. Ram Jethmalani met yesterday night for some other matter not connected to BCCI. The statement made by Mr. Mohd Abdi, General Counsel and Constituted Attorney of Mr. L K Modi, regarding some understanding being reached is totally false and BCCI denies the same,” said BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Prof R S Shetty in a statement issued today.

The BCCI had on Wednesday turned down Lalit Modi’s plea saying the investigation was at an advanced stage.

“It is a fact-finding and an internal committee. We cannot have external members in it,” said BCCI’s counsel and senior advocate C S Sundaram to a Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices J M Panchal and Gyan Sudha Mishra, which wanted the Board to explore the possibility of reconstituting the disciplinary committee.

Modi has approached the apex court challenging the July 15 judgement of the Bombay High Court, which dismissed his plea to stay the proceedings by a BCCI-appointed disciplinary committee probing allegations of financial irregularities against him.

He has sought the removal of Arun Jaitley and Amin from the three-member committee, which also has Jyotiraditya Scindya in it, contending that they are likely to be biased against him.

The BCCI had in May delivered a show cause notice to Modi on charges of financial irregularity.

There are five main charges against Modi, ranging from receiving kickbacks, for allotting TV broadcast rights to indiscipline and leveling baseless charges against the BCCI.

Modi was accused of committing a wide range of corruption allegations, including bribery and tax evasion, resulting in his suspension from the post of IPL Commissioner in April. (ANI)