JOIN USThe Supreme Court on Friday accepted an “unconditional apology” tendered by N Srinivasan for participating in the Working Committee meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on February 8.
A bench of Justices T S Thakur and F M I Kalifullah closed the contempt proceedings started on a petition filed by Cricket Association of Bihar for “breaching” the court verdict of January 22. The court, however, allowed Srinivasan to cast vote as a nominee of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association during the elections of the board’s office-bearers.
“Since Srinivasan has tendered unconditional apology, we are inclined to close the proceedings,” the bench said, in its order.
The court termed as “premature” a plea made by senior advocate N Chidambaram, representing the CAB. She sought restraint order against Srinivasan from attending any further meetings even as TNCA president or casting vote in elections.
It accepted the submission made by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Srinivasan, that he should be allowed to exercise his franchise as a nominee of the TNCA during the Annual General Meeting.
At the outset, Sibal offered apology on behalf of Srinivasan and submitted that he would not preside over any other such meetings of the board. He said it was bona fide mistake on Srinivasan's part to have presided over the Working Committee meeting on
February 8.
The apex court had on Monday took objection to Srinivasan, who had stepped aside as BCCI president, for paricipating in the board meeting. It reminded him that his position had become “vulnerable” after the verdict finding him in “conflict of interest” in the IPL corruption probe.
In its January 22 verdict, the court had barred Srinivasan from contesting BCCI elections till he held commercial interest in IPL team CSK or till a special committee formed under the chairmanship of former CJI Justice R M Lodha determined the quantum of punishment against his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, found to be a team official.
During the hearing on Friday, Sibal informed the court that Srinivasan had divested his interest in India Cements Ltd which owned the IPL franchisee Chennai Super Kings.
DH News Service