BCCI's Disciplinary Committee may summon Modi

The BCCI's Disciplinary Committee is considering summoning suspended Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi to question alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of the Twenty20 League.

Sources said a notice is likely to be sent to Modi through his lawyer to appear before the committee for cross examination of certain evidences related to the case in its meeting on December 15.

"The Committee has been going through different sets of documents submitted to them by Modi. There needs to be cross-examination of those papers where committee members have found certain lapses which can only be done in the presence of Modi or his lawyer. The committee may call them in the hearing," a BCCI official, who did not wish to be named, said.

The committee is getting cooperation from Modi but there are some documents and evidences that need clarity, he said.

Sources said the meeting of the committee, which was put on hold temporarily after being challenged by Modi in the Supreme Court that it did not have jurisdiction to look into the charges, will resume as per the go-ahead given to it by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from this month onwards.

Modi had moved the apex court after the Bombay High Court had on July 15 rejected his petition seeking the reconstitution of the committee.

He had said that he wanted a committee of independent persons and not of those who are the members of BCCI, as they would be biased against him. The apex court will hear the matter in the second week of January.

Modi's counsel had prayed in the Court for appointment of a retired judge of the higher judiciary or any senior advocate as members of the Committee.

In a related move on Saturday, the BCCI has retained the three-member disciplinary committee probing charges of financial irregularities against Modi, rejecting the former IPL chairman's demand for a reconstitution of the panel.

The decision was taken at a Special General Meeting convened to resolve the matter after Modi's counsel Mehmood Abdi pointed out last month that the panel did not have the BCCI General Body's mandate.

The disciplinary committee comprises interim IPL Chairman Chirayu Amin, Delhi and District Cricket Association chief Arun Jaitley and Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association President Jyotiraditya Scindia.

"The Committee will meet most probably on December 15 to cross examine witnesses and documents in the case. We are trying to finish probe and compile the report in time," the official said.

The Board has already examined some of the witnesses.

Modi had sent a staggering 15,000-page reply to the first show cause notice served on him on April 26 by the Board, accusing him of financial irregularities and bid-rigging in the IPL.

A Blue Corner Notice (to seek information about an individual) issued by Interpol on the request of the Enforcement Directorate is pending against Modi.

Besides, the Mumbai Regional Passport Office is also considering to revoke Modi's passport to enable him to appear before the investigating agencies in New Delhi.