JOIN USThe Supreme Court on Monday took objection to N Srinivasan, who sidestepped as BCCI president, for participating in a board meeting held on February 8, reminding him that his position has become “vulnerable” after a verdict found him in “conflict of interest” in the IPL corruption probe.
“We found clear conflict of interest in his case. Therefore, he can't go on or contest elections. Having said that, this makes him very vulnerable. He should not have participated in the meeting. We should not be seen running around him. The spirit of our judgment is he is found in conflict of interest. We are not happy with it,” a bench of Justices T S Thakur and F M I Kallifullah said.
The court's observation came on hearing a contempt petition filed by the Cricket Association of Bihar which contended that Srinivasan violated SC’s January 22 verdict.
Senior advocate Nalini Chidambaram, representing CAB, contended that there was no ambiguity in the court order and as on date, Srinivasan was disqualified from participating in the BCCI affairs and senior vice-president Shivlal Yadav was asked to take the charge. “Once the SC finds that there is conflict of interest and you are not eligible to contest, will you be able to continue participating in the BCCI meetings?,” the bench asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Srinivasan.
Sibal submitted that the meeting was held only to fix the date for holding the BCCI elections in consonance with court verdict. “Srinivasan is a responsible person. There is whole body of people who have enormous confidence in him,” he claimed. “These things can't go beyond a point,” the bench retorted, indicating that the court would issue notice to Srinivasan in the contempt petition.
Sibal sought adjournment till Friday to give his response to the petition, and court agreed to it.