Eleven of the 14 GC members were in attendance. Missing were suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi, Union Minister Farookh Abdullah and BCCI treasurer M P Pandove. It was decided that in his capacity as the BCCI president, Shashank Manohar should chair the meeting.

Modi’s draconian and high-handed ways of functioning was the most discussed topic even as the GC quickly addressed a few immediate issues, including appointing Baroda Cricket Association president and BCCI vice-president Chirayu Amin as the interim IPL chairman. The show cause notice issued to Modi on Sunday  was dissected, the until recently high-flying IPL supremo having 15 days to respond to the charges and prove why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

Inquiry
As and when Modi submits his reply, the Board will peruse his views and then decide if an inquiry is necessary. If an inquiry is deemed fit, the three-member Disciplinary Committee formed at the last AGM — comprising Manohar, former FICCI chairman Amin and Arun Jaitley — will initiate proceedings. Under the constitution, the inquiry can run for a period of 12 months, but the suspension period is for six months.
As it is, Modi’s suspension extends beyond just the chairmanship of the IPL. He has been suspended, under Rule 32 (vii), from participating in the affairs of the Board, the IPL, the working committee and any other committee of the BCCI. Modi is a vice-president of the Board, the chairman of the tour programmes and fixtures committee and a member of the marketing committee. It was not merely the BCCI officials who were cut up with Modi’s ways, it is learnt. Apparently, some of the senior players were unhappy with Modi taking it upon himself to decide on cricketing matters, going to the extent of wanting to fix the base price for players up for auction during IPL IV.

Modi’s warning on Twitter that he would expose other individuals too has not sent the BCCI scurrying for cover. “If there are other people who are guilty, we will sack them and take the same action against them,” Manohar said.
DH News Service