Dalmiya's disciplinary hearing deferred

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday deferred the disciplinary committee's proceedings against Jagmohan Dalmiya after the former BCCI chief filed a suit in a Kolkata court challenging the legality of the summons.

Dalmiya was summoned to appear before the three-member committee this afternoon for his alleged failure to reply to showcause notices pertaining to accounts of the 1996 World Cup.

"The communication sent by your lawyer Mr Soumendra Nath Banerjee by fax was forwarded to the members of Disciplinary Committee. They have considered your request for adjourning the proceedings," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a letter addressed to Dalmiya, a copy of which was made available to the media on Wednesday.

The letter said that the next date of hearing will be communicated later.

"The Committee felt that only filing of a suit in the absence of any interim order is no ground to adjourn the matter. However to give you a fair opportunity in the matter in the interest of justice, the proceedings are adjourned. The next date of hearing will be communicated to you in due course," the letter said.

Dalmiya had filed a suit on Tuesday before a Kolkata court challenging the legality of the Cricket Board's summons asking him to appear before its disciplinary committee.

In the suit, Dalmiya prayed the court to issue an order to the BCCI not to give effect to his suspension from attending BCCI meetings as CAB president. He also appealed that the notice dated July 17, vide which he was asked to appear before the disciplinary committee today at 1.00 pm, not be given effect to.

The disciplinary committee is headed by Board President Sharad Pawar and includes Shashank Manohar and Chirayu Amin.