Monday, May 10, 2010

Lalit Modi asks BCCI for proof of charges against him

Lalit Modi, the suspended chairman and commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has tossed the ball back into the cricket board's court by seeking a pile of documents to firm up his answers to the charges slapped on him.

Modi, who was to appear in person at the headquarters of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai Monday with his voluminous reply, asked for a five-day extension and Board chief Shashank Manohar readily acceded.

A Board source said Modi in his e-mail on Sunday evening to Board secretary N Srinivasan stated he did not receive certain key documents he had asked for in his May 3 e-mail to him, if the Board intends to rely on those to use against him.

Modi, by inference, questioned the Board basing the charges on unsubstantiated allegations, complaints and innuendos like the Kochi agreement being signed only after a directive from the Board chief, some of the deals being finalised without the knowledge of the IPL Governing Council and his holding proxy stakes in three IPL franchisees.

He also referred to a broadspectrum charge that the BCCI chief has been receiving messages and requests from senior office-bearers, highly reputed public figures and renowned players expressing their anguish over the loss of image of the Board and the game.

Modi said in his e-mail that the Board should furnish all the documents he had asked for or state in writing that except the documents supplied to him through e-mails of April 27 and May 7, no other document or material will be relied upon or used against him.

"I refer to the previous correspondence. By my e-mail dated 3rd May 2010, I had requested that with a view to ensuring that I have a fair opportunity of responding to the allegations in the Show Cause NoticeI be provided with copies of all material which you intend to rely upon and use against me," Modi said in his Sunday e-mail which is in possession of IANS.

As Modi and his detractors in the Board continued their war of words, exchanging e-mails and documents, and it is clear both are waiting to see who blinks first.

After Manohar acceded to Modi's request for the extension, another official saw the move as "dilatory tactics" by the suspended IPL boss. A Modi camper retorted: How could you ask anyone to defend himself by tying both his hands at the back?"

"The Board may think any wild allegation will stick to Modi without realising that there are certain norms to be followed if one has to be given a fair trial whatever be the ultimate outcome," a state unit secetary, who feels that thanks to Modi all associations have immnsely benefited financially, told IANS.

Referring to Srinivasan's earlier e-mail, Modi wrote: "By your reply dated 6th May 2010, you forwarded to me documents described in the list attached thereto. However, you also stated that: 'If there is any other specific document that you still require and you feel it is in our possession, please let us know with regard to the same so that an adequate response to your request can be given.'"

Modi said after going through the documents running into hundreds of pages, he found that several vital documents referred to in the charges were missing.

Listing some of the charges point by point, Modi asked Srinivasan to provide him the documents which were referred to in the showcause notice.

Some of the issues Modi raised in his e-mail:

* The showcause notice stated that "several contracts have been executed by me as the chairman of IPL either without the authority of the Governing Council of IPL or which have not been brought to the knowledge of the Governing Council" but no copies of the agreements were provided.

* The charge that "the President, BCCI, has been receiving messages and requests from Senior Office-Bearers, Committee Members, highly reputed public figures, renowned players and senior functionaries in the last few days expressing their anguish and concern at how the image of BCCI and in turn the game itself is being tarnished in the public eye due to my statements and alleged misdeeds," is not substantiated as there are no copies of the messages or proof of requests.

* If any written record of the consultation exists, please provide me with the same.

* The showcause states that "reports suggest that I have proxy stake in 3 franchisees of IPL," but there are no copies of such reports.

* Reference to "Register of Members of Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt.Ltd."

Copies of proof needed

* It is stated that "details have been gathered from documents apparently submitted by the franchisee subsequent to the agreement." No copies of such documents provided.

* "It has been brought to the notice of BCCI that subtle messages were sent to corporate entities that they were unwelcome to bid." No names or copies of messages provided.

* It has been stated that contract with Kochi agreement had to be signed under a directive of the BCCI President. No copies of the written directive exist in the documents received.

* It has been stated that the "MOU with LCM dealt with rights already committed to Nimbus with whom BCCI has an ongoing contract". Copies of the agreement between Nimbus and BCCI not given.

* Referrence to an "objection raised by Nimbus." If the objection is in writing, the copy and the BCCI's response have not been provided.

Modi on Saturday sent across through his lawyer the first lot of documents, though the Board's Chief Administrative Office Ratnakar Shetty stated that not all the documents were returned.

 

Related:

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Lalit Modi prepares reply, meets lawyers in Delhi

Suspended Indian Premier League(IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi is in Delhi to put the finishing touches on his reply to the showcause notice issued to him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Modi infact has to prepare his reply for a second showcause notice as well as for planning an IPL-like league in England.
Sources have told NDTV that Modi is now planning to take legal action against England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke, and suing him for defamation.
"The world has reacted to the showcause notice issued to me, I don't need to react to it, I still have 15 days, everyone knows what it is about, says Modi after arriving in the Capital.
Meanwhile, there is a proof that he did have a meeting with English counties. The e-mail that Giles Clarke forwarded to BCCI President Shashank Manohar contains the minutes of that meeting, and Modi's vision for the tournament in England. Newspaper reports in UK seem to suggest that sports management company IMG is planning legal action against Clarke as well.
And though Lalit Modi may be in danger of being removed from the BCCI and IPL fold completely, one has to appreciate his never say die attitude. He had said few days ago, "I have been the BCCI's public enemy No 1 for a long time now."
And for those wondering if this is the beginning of the end for the man who gave India and the world a product called IPL, well, here's what he himself has to say.
"I am not going anywhere, I have only been suspended," says Lalit Modi.

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Friday, May 7, 2010

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Say Hi To genelia D’souza blog. Keep following it.

Monday, May 3, 2010

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Lalit Modi alleged by Rendezvous for breach of trust

Files complaint with BCCI, asking it to instruct Modi to retract his statements


Modi has revealed various vital aspects of contract: consortium

“He has not disclosed such information about the other nine teams in the league”


THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy over the ownership of the Kochi IPL consortium seemed to assume the scale of a bitter war on Tuesday, with team franchisee Rendezvous Sports World filing a complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), alleging breach of trust by IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit K. Modi.

“It is unfortunate to note that Mr. Modi himself has disclosed various vital aspects of the contract on Monday evening,” the complaint, written by co-owner of the franchise Vivek Venugopal to BCCI president Shashank Manohar, said.

The letter said:

“Information disclosed include shareholding pattern of the consortium as well as shareholding patterns of various participating consortium member companies. Please note that Mr. Modi has not disclosed such information for the other nine teams participating in the league. In addition, we have been seeing various remarks by Mr. Modi questioning the capability and the intentions of this consortium.

“As a consortium, we have abided by the terms and conditions of the bid document and franchise agreement in letter and in spirit. Behaviour and actions as conducted by Mr. Modi brings complete disrespect to the sport, the IPL league, as well as to the sanctity of the bidding process.”

The letter, which cited the confidentiality clause in the franchise agreement, sought Mr. Manohar's immediate intervention. “On behalf of the consortium, I sincerely request you to immediately instruct Mr. Modi to retract his statements… and apologise for the communications given in the media. We, as a consortium, are also contemplating legal action against Mr. Modi for his irresponsible behaviour, which brings disrepute to his office,” it said.

Modi's tweet

On Monday, within the space of 17 minutes, Mr. Modi used popular social networking platform Twitter to reveal details, including the stock options held by the members of the consortium that won the bid for the Kochi franchise of the IPL at the March 21 auction in Chennai.

He started with the tweet, “A lot of you are asking about the shareholders and events surrounding the Kochi team. I am compiling a note shortly and will put out a press release soon.”

He went on to add: “Twenty five per cent of Kochi team is given free to Rendezvous Sports for life. The same equity is non-dilutable in perpetuity. What does that mean? Why? Wait.” He then tweeted again: “Will disclose those details soon.”

Keeping his promise, he then quite dramatically wrote: “Who are the shareholders of Rendezvous? And why have they been given this 100s of million dollars bonanza? Kochi shareholders are Rendezvous 25 per cent [free]; Rendezvous 1 per cent; Anchor 27 per cent; Parinee 26 per cent; Film Waves Combine 12 per cent; Anand Shyam 8 per cent; Vivek Venugopal 1 per cent.”

He went on to reveal more: “Rendezvous free equity – held by Kisan, Shailendra and Pushpa Gaikwad, Sunanda Pushkar, Puja Gulati, Jayant Kotalwar, Vishnu Prasad, Sundip Agarwal.”

Minutes later, Mr. Modi tweeted again in reply to a query from a fellow tweeter. “A big? I was told by him not to get into who owns Rendezvous. Especially Sunanda Pushkar. Why? The same has been minuted in my records.”

Source :: The Hindu


BCCI : Lalit Modi given ultimatum to reply within 15 days

The BCCI has given suspended Lalit Modi 15 days to reply to the charge sheet and show-cause served on him on Sunday.

In a statement, BCCI president Shashank Manohar said: “The Secretary, BCCI, Mr. N. Srinivasan, has, in consultation with me, issued the notice, under Rule 32 (iv) calling upon him to show cause within 15 days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Simultaneously, in exercise of the powers vested in me under Rule 32 (vii), I have suspended Mr. Lalit K. Modi from participating in the affairs of the Board, the IPL, the Working Committee and any other committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.''

The charge sheet is largely on the following aspects: 1. With regard to the initial bids of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab; 2. Broadcasting deal with MSM/WSG; 3. Bid rigging of the two new franchisees; 4. Internet rights and 5. Mr. Modi's behaviour.

What the Rule says

BCCI Rule 32 (iv) says: “If any member or associate member or any administrator of the Board commits any act of indiscipline or misconduct or acts in any manner which may or likely to be detrimental to the interest of the Board or the game of cricket or endanger the harmony or affect the reputation or interest of the Board or refuses or neglects to comply with any of the provisions of the Memorandum and/or the Rules and Regulations of the Board and/ or Rules of conduct framed by the Board, the Hon. Secretary of the Board, on receipt of any complaint shall, in consultation with the President, forthwith issue Show-Cause Notice calling for explanation and on receipt of the same and/or in case of no cause or insufficient cause being shown, shall refer the same to the Committee. The Committee, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, shall submit its findings to the Board. The Board shall at the Special General Meeting specially convened take an appropriate decision by a majority of 3/4th members present and voting at the said meetings.”

Rule 32 (vii) says: “Pending enquiry and proceeding into complaints or charges of misconduct of any act of indiscipline or violation of any rules and regulations, the concerned member, associate member, administrator, player, umpire, team official, referee or the selector [including the privilege and benefits such as subsidies to the member or associate member] may be suspended by the president from participating in any of the affairs of the Board until final adjudication. However, the adjudication should be completed with (in) six months.”

Source : The Hindu

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

How Lalit Modi made it big in Rajasthan

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Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections five years ago saw Lalit Modi's rise to the top of Rajasthan cricket. But to become RCA president, being a domicile of the state was essential. So, Modi bought land in Nagaur allegedly through fraud and then got himself nominated from the Nagaur Cricket Association reportedly by impersonating someone called Lalit Kumar whose signatures just don't tally with those of Modi.
"The Nagaur Cricket Association president was a man called Lalit Kumar. But suddenly Lalit Modi superimposed himself and started claiming that he was Lalit Kumar. He could get away with this fraud because the government at that time supported him," said Kishore Rungta, former president, RCA.
Closeness to Vasundhara Raje made Modi's entry easier. The Raje government specially passed a Sports Act that tightened government control over sports bodies and scrapped the voting rights of all individual members in the RCA to help Modi get a majority. Experts say, the Act has harmed sports in Rajasthan.
"Due to the Sports Act, we can never host any national games in Rajasthan. Under the charter of the Indian Olympic Association, no state where the government interferes in sports bodies is allowed to hold national games," said Shiv Charan Mali, Chairman, Rajasthan Sports Council.
While the Sports Act has now been challenged in the Supreme Court, Modi personally faces a police case of forgery in Nagaur.
The meteoric rise of Lalit Modi in the cricketing world began in Rajasthan in 2005. But given his dubious entry into the RCA several cricket observers here say it's no surprise that Modi is now accused of bending all kinds of rules in the IPL book for that is exactly what he did to begin his cricket innings from Rajasthan.