Supreme Court demands disqualification of Chennai Super Kings, wants fresh BCCI elections

N Srinivasan

In further damaging news for N Srinivasan, the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday opined that, due to the conflict of interest observed in the report submitted by the Justice Mukul Mudgal-led panel, the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) must be disqualified and the ownership information of CSK & India Cements must be provided to the court.

The SC made it clear to the BCCI on Thursday that no issue will be swept under the carpet and made some crucial observations, telling the four non-players to step aside while the board holds fresh elections, and asked the BCCI to take action based on the findings in the Mudgal-committee report.

“What's the composition of the company India Cements? Who are on the Board of Directors of Indian Cements Ltd.? What is the equity held by Srinivasan and his family? Who took the decision to invest Rs. 400 crore in Chennai Super Kings?”

These were some of the questions asked by the court and made it clear that the ICC Chairman’s conflict of interest is at the heart of IPL’s controversy. The court also said that no further enquiry into the matter will be conducted into the case, which means that the board will now have to act on the final Mudgal Report.

"The duty of Srinivasan as BCCI president and interest as CSK owner, this is where the conflict of interest lies," the court said.

"You must take action, now you have facts," it further added.

The court further asked the BCCI to conduct fresh elections without the interference of any of the four non-players.

Happy with SC’s decision: AC Muthiah

The observations made by the court were praised by former BCCI president AC Muthiah, who said that the IPL is a good product and the BCCI must now either convene the AGM to bring in a new regime or all the current members must put in their papers.

"The SC has given a wonderful decision. After listening to today's observations, the board must all quit or convene the AGM to bring in a new president and a new board,” he told CNN-IBN.

"IPL is a good product, we should try and save it. It has earned a lot on money for the board and given opportunities to many players. Need proper governance,” he added.