Modi seeks restraining order against Governing Council meeting

The war in the Cricket Board intensified on Thursday with Lalit Modi planning to move court against the Governing Council meeting that may oust him from the post of IPL Commissioner as BCCI accused him of hiding details of stakeholding by his relatives in franchises.

The embattled Modi was on Thursday night said to be considering moving the Bombay High Court seeking an injunction against the April 26 meeting where Governing Council member M A K Pataudi says he would be ousted if he keeps away.

Some top lawyers are expected to appear for Modi who has contended that the Monday meeting was illegal as only he had the power to convene it.

BCCI sources said at the meeting, Lalit Modi would be removed and even the Commissioner's post may be abolished.

The BCCI may even take over the IPL completely. There is also a possibility of appointing a panel of Governing Council members to oversee the functioning of the league.

BCCI President Shashank Manohar shed his reticence to attack Modi who had threatened to reveal details of franchise ownership. He also rejected Modi's contention on the meeting and said it would go ahead as scheduled.

He dismissed Modi's claim of BCCI secretary N Srinivasan having a conflict of interest in owning Chennai franchisee.

"Mr Srinivasan was a declared bidder. If Modi and his relatives had a share in any of the franchises, he ought to have declared it at the meeting. I was not a member of the Governing Council then. He ought to have told every body," the BCCI President said.

Manohar said that it was the then BCCI President Sharad Pawar who had given Srinivasan permission to bid. It was India Cements, a company which bid and was accepted by the general body.

Manohar also said that Srinivasan convened the meeting not as the owner of the team but was empowered by the Board constitution to do so.

Manohar also said it was improper of Modi to think of revealing details of the ownership patterns, saying there were complex legal issues and confidentiality clause.

Meanwhile, Pataudi said that Modi should step down if he has so much conviction in his innocence.

Asked if Modi should step aside in the best interest of IPL, Pataudi said, "Yes. I think so. Let these allegations and accusations come to some kind of conclusion and let's see because he's kept on saying ...for the last few weeks that he's done nothing wrong. So fine, if he has done nothing wrong, let them take it out."

If Mr Modi does not come for the meeting, the BCCI would take a very strict view of this, Pataudi said.

"Unless Modi comes and says in the meeting that he has been working 20 hours a day for the last six weeks and needs 3-4 days time to prepare his answer, his ouster is certain.

But if he does that, the Board may give him time," he said.