BCCI concedes defeat to Lalit Modi, RCA faces expulsion if Modi appointed

Lalit Modi, while he was still associated with the BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has conceded defeat to arch-rival Lalit Modi even before the Supreme Court has opened the sealed envelope containing votes of the controversial Rajasthan Cricket Association elections.

The Supreme court is in no hurry, and has said that it will be hearing the case again on the 4th of March, before making the final decision on whether or not to declare Modi as RCA chief.

RCA chief Kishore Rungta and the BCCI have jointly filed a Special Leave Petition which opposes the appointment of Modi as RCA chief. Modi has been widely expected to win the elections that were conducted on 19th of December.

The Rajasthan Sports Act of 2005 is being challenged by BCCI and Rungta that had enabled Modi to contest the RCA elections. Three hearings have so far been held by the Supreme Court, of which the first two were on January 6th and 17th.

The Modi faction has claimed majority in the elections conducted on 19th of December, in which thirty-two districts, which are affiliated by the RCA had voted. Two retired Supreme Court judges were present to supervise the elections, and the votes of which are in a sealed envelope, which can only be opened by the Apex court.

The BCCI had banned Modi for life, for irregularities in the finance when he was the IPL chief and the board has suggested that the appointment of Modi will tarnish the image of cricket in India.

Lawyers of BCCI have old the Supreme Court judges that as Modi is banned, he is ineligible to contest the elections. BCCI lawyers have further said that RCA faces possible expulsion if Modi becomes it’s chief, after conceding to the fact that the UK-based businessman is expected to win the elections by 26-6.

RCA’s expulsion would mean no Rajasthan players would be available for selection in the Indian team.