N Srinivasan cannot represent BCCI in ICC meeting: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday made it clear that former BCCI President N Srinivasan cannot represent the board in the April 24 ICC meeting as he has been held guilty of "conflict of interest" and "abuse of authority".

The court allowed acting secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Amitabh Chaudhary, to represent the board in International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting and asked BCCI's CEO Rahul Johri to accompany him.

The court passed its order after being informed that Srinivasan and Niranjan Shah, who were rendered ineligible to become office-bearers in the BCCI and state cricket associations by virtue of the apex court's verdict, could participate in Tuesday's special general body meeting of BCCI and may be nominated to take part in the ICC meeting.

"N Srinivasan cannot go (for ICC meeting)," a three-judge bench presided over by Justice Dipak Misra said. "This person (Srinivasan) was held guilty by this court for conflict of interest and abuse of authority. He cannot go," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said, adding "a man, once having a conflict of interest, cannot go".

"Regard being had to the significance of representation of the BCCI in the said international body, i.e. the ICC, it is directed that Amitabh Chaudhary shall represent the BCCI before ICC and Rahul Johri shall accompany him and also attend the meeting of the chief executive officers," the bench said.

The top court, on January 22, 2015, had barred Srinivasan from contesting any BCCI polls unless he forsakes ownership of an IPL team. The court had also assailed the amendment in BCCI rules permitting cricket administrators like Srinivasan to have commercial interest by owing teams in IPL and Champions League and had said it was bad on grounds of conflict of interest.

Srini undecided

Despite the verdict, confusion remained over the Tamil Nadu strongman’s participation in Tuesday’s Special General Meeting to discuss a five-point agenda. “I don’t think there is anything that stops me from attending the SGM. But since you are asking me whether I am attending tomorrow’s SGM, it is because you want a headline. You won’t get it from me,” Srinivasan told PTI.

Meanwhile, the SGM will now have a five-point agenda after the Supreme Court clarified on BCCI’s representatives. “The primary discussion will be on ICC Governance and Revenue structure. The pending legal issues and appointment of ombudsman will also be discussed,” a BCCI official said on the eve of the meeting here.