In a move aimed at investigating the functions of Indian Premier League (IPL) and the controversy surrounding the alleged financial irregularities, the BCCI on Monday named Chirayu Amin, the Baroda Cricket Association chief, as the interim head of IPL. He will replace beleaguered IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who was suspended in the wee-hours of Monday. BCCI, the parent body of IPL, also announced a series of measures to strengthen the IPL brand.
?IPL is a great property loved by one and all. However, in the last 15 days, a lot of allegations and counter allegations were made through the media, and as a result, the Board has decided to look into the allegations,? BCCI president Shashank Manohar said after an internal meeting of IPL governing council. ?Modi’s suspension was vital for a free and fair inquiry,? he added. Manohar also made it clear that proceedings against Modi will be dropped if he provides a convincing reply to the show cause notice issued to him. The BCCI is also investigating the matter of missing papers of some franchises and other business contracts pertaining to the IPL, especially the first two editions. It has deputed Ratnatkar Shetty, a senior BCCI official, to look into the documents which are missing.
BCCI has alloted Modi 15 days? time to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. The BCCI president cited examples of irregularities, including lack of clarity in the ownership of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. Manohar said the allegations of $80-million in kick back received by Modi cannot be looked into as the original contract papers between MSM and WSG Mauritius are not in possession of the BCCI. Manohar also announced the appointment of Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and MAK Pataudi, the existing members of IPL governing council, to
discuss and decide the modalities of withholding three foreign cricketers and four Indian cricketers in IPL-IV.
