Rajasthan HC stays BCCI ruling on Modi

JAIPUR: In a judgment that is sure to come as a setback to the BCCI, a single judge bench of Rajasthan high court on Thursday stayed the operation of a communication of the board which had restrained Lalit Modi from participating in activities of its affiliated and constituent units. The communication was sent to Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), along with other state units of the BCCI. The order came on a petition filed by Nagaur District Cricket Association, where Modi is still an office-bearer. The Nagaur body is a constituent unit of the RCA and is governed by Rajasthan Sports Act. As per this Act, the RCA and its units are statutory bodies and there is a complete mechanism for removal of any office-bearer of the district sport associations.The petition stated that the restraint placed by the BCCI in the communication dated October 3 is in violation of the legal provisions contained in Rajasthan Sports Act.The order is being seen as a respite for Modi and it might make him eligible to contest the RCA elections in November. Modi was quick to grasp this lifeline and tweeted: "Good to hear Hon Rajasthan High Court (has stayed) my ban imposed by BCCI mafia."The single Judge bench of Justice RS Rathore, while staying the BCCI communication, directed that notices be issued to N Srinivasan in person, and BCCI and RCA respectively through their secretaries.