Fair trade practices watchdog the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has allowed Sachin Tendulkar [Images] to respond to global sportswear major Nike, which accused him of violating the Commission's directions in a case involving rival Adidas over endorsement rights.

During the proceedings at the MRTPC last week, Tendulkar's counsel sought time to respond to Nike's contention that he violated the commission's directions to file an affidavit personally.

The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission had, on October 4, directed the cricketer to file an affidavit within a week or make his stand clear with regard to the dispute over endorsement rights between Nike and Adidas.

In his affidavit, submitted through his brother Ajit Tendulkar, Tendulkar had stated that he has no contractual relationship with Nike India and it has no authority to use his name for promotion of its product.

However, Nike, in a counter affidavit, claimed that Tendulkar's "affidavit is replete with bald, vague and evasive averments" and wanted his brother Ajit Tendulkar to be cross examined.

It further argued that the affidavit was contrary to the MRTPC's direction for filing a "personal" affidavit.

To this, Tendulkar wanted to file a rejoinder which was allowed by the Commission.

The Commission has listed the case for the third week of January 2008 for next hearing.