High-powered panel to probe conflict of interest

[[MarJana]]

New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket's president in exile N Srinivasan made a last ditch effort to clear his name from the conflict of interest charges involving his position with the board and the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings by telling the Supreme Court that if he is re-elected as president, he would stay away from IPL governing council till a proposed high-powered committee is setup to probe the said allegations.

Replying to a question from the court, Srinivasan's senior counsel Kapil Sibal told the bench of Justice TS Thakur and Justice FMI Kalifulla that Srinivasan would stay away from IPL governing council and its activities and also from the IPL related meetings of the BCCI if he is allowed to contest the upcoming BCCI presidential polls.

During the hearing on a petition by Cricket Association of Bihar which reported has sought to oust Srinivasan as BCCI president on the basis of his conflict of interest, the Supreme Court told the BCCI, "Game of cricket will collapse if people's confidence in the sport is not restored."

The BCCI in turn has reportedly opposed setting up of a high power panel to look into Srinivasan's conflict of interest and punishment should be meted out on the basis of the Mudgal committee recommendations. "A high power panel can give recommendations but won't be binding. Court can select the probe panel but under the BCCI rules. Our autonomy will be challenged by an SC-appointed probe committee," the board counsel replied to court.

The Cricket Association of Bihar, a unrecognised body by the BCCI, is also seeking the cancellation of IPL franchisee CSK on the ground of Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's alleged involvement in betting.​