Published 11:26 IST, September 14th 2019
Ganguly in a fix over "Conflict of Interest" ahead of BCCI Elections
Former India captain, Sourav Ganguly has to clear himself of tractable "Conflict of Interest" before he can contest the BCCI elections to be held next month
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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is among the front runner or favourites for the post of BCCI President, if he finally decides to contest the elections to be held next month. But there is big impediment or obstacle on his way. Ganguly has to clear himself from tractable "Conflict of Interest" that he has been found guilty of, by BCCI's Ethics Officer, DK Jain. Mr Jain has made it clear to the board that Ganguly cannot continue in more than one position for the BCCI elections.
Letter accessed reveals "Conflict of Interest"
Republic TV has accessed the letter (in the form of an Order) written to the BCCI where DK Jain has clearly held Ganguly guilty of the tractable offence but still has given him the benefit of doubt. In the last page of the 16 page letter/order, Jain says: "In the instant case, having regard to the aforenoted stand of Mr. Ganguly, viz (i) that if it is found by the Ethics Officer that his presence in the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee) has resulted in a "Conflict of Interest" situation, as envisaged in Rule 38 of the Rules, his Reply in these Complaints may be treated as his resignation therefrom immediate effect and (ii) that his involvement with the IPL Franchise has come to an end on May 2019, I declare that in the present case the "Conflict of Interest" is tractable. Although it is trite law that the ignorance of the law is no excuse and Mr Ganguly was obliged to disclose the requisite information as stipulated in Rule 38(2) of the Rules, but bearing in the mind the fact that the Rules have come into existence only after August 2018, I am inclined to give the benefit of doubt to Mr. Ganguly that perhaps he may not have realised that his occupying the said three posts did involve "Conflict of Interest". Accordingly, I direct the BCCI to ensure that Mr Sourav Ganguly relinquishes his interests, which give rise to "Conflict of Interest" and does not continue to occupy more than one post as enumerated in Rule 38 (4) of the Rules at any given point of time".
Decision pending from BCCI
Now the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and BCCI are yet to take a final stand or decision on this issue and are likely to approach the Supreme Court for the same. Other members of the defunct committee, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, have already resigned. Ganguly is yet to officially resign from Cricket Administrative Committee and Delhi Capital's advisor's post as well. But for him to contest the BCCI election, he has to give up two of the three positions he is holding now and once elected he has to give up the third, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President's post, as well.
08:41 IST, September 14th 2019