Abhijit Kale on Thursday contended before a city court at Pune that the suspension slapped by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on him was "illegal and malafide" and sought a stay on it.

In his arguments before the District Civil Court Judge, Kale's counsel Manoj Wadekar urged that the suspension, ordered by the BCCI after it had received a written complaint from two national selectors Kiran More and Pranab Roy, be kept on hold till the inquiry was over.

Also Read Terms of endearment Former secretary slams BCCI More, Roy asked for details about allegations The Selection Scam

"I am not asking for a stay against the inquiry. All I am asking for is a stay against the suspension order as it is an invasion of civil rights," Wadekar argued.

"Kale was selected as vice-captain to play Ranji Trophy matches and he has every right to do so," he said.

Kale received the official letter about the appointment of an inquiry committee and a notice asking him to appear before BCCI commissioner D V Subba Rao today at 11.05 am when he was in the court. 

Kale, as well as the chairman of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Balasaheb Thorve and a large number of people were present in the court. 

The Maharashtra batsman was suspended by the BCCI on November 21 for allegedly offering Rs 10 lakh each to the two selectors for a place in the Australia-bound Indian Test team.