BCCI backs Sourav Ganguly on conflict of interest case

Three natives from Kolkata namely Ranjit Seal, Bhaswati Santua and Abhijeet Mukherjee wrote a letter to the BCCI asking its ombudsman Justice DK Jain how Ganguly could be allowed to be part of the Delhi Capitals set-up on April 12, when the team travels to Eden Gardens, home of the CAB, to play Kolkata Knight Riders. This was a possible conflict of interest and keeping everything in mind, Justice Jain asked Ganguly to depose in front of him with his answer. And after Saturday's hearing, the Board put its weight firmly behind the former India skipper in the alleged conflict of interest case and stated that it came under the “tractable category”.

According to the BCCI's constitution clause 38 (3) (a): "Tractable conflicts are those that are resolvable or permissible or excusable through recusal of the individual concerned and - or - with full disclosure of the interest involved."

"Agreed that he resigned from IPL technical committee and Governing Council after the sub-committees were dissolved when the new constitution came into force. Yes, he is still a part of Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) but that committee has met only twice in four years," a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI.

"How can we stop him from performing his professional activities as a cricketer? Let the Ombudsman decide as this could be sorted without any problem. If full disclosure is made, the BCCI sees no harm in continuing in all three posts. If Ombudsman feels otherwise, he may have to resign from two of three posts," the official said.

Ganguly is currently holding three positions within the purview of the BCCI. Apart from his role as president of Cricket Association of Bengal, Ganguly is the member of Cricket Advisory Committee and Delhi Capitals’ advisor. That’s why if Ganguly is to resign from CAC, even Sachin Tendulkar (mentor, Mumbai Indians) and VVS Laxman (mentor, Sunrisers Hyderabad) could be forced to follow suit. However, in his deposition, Ganguly said that he is working in a voluntary role with the IPL franchise.

"Sourav, in his verbal submission, told the Ombudsman that he is not taking a single penny as DC advisor even though his name is there in the Team Officials' list," a source said.

Jain, who also doubles up as BCCI's Ethics Officer, met Ganguly, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and legal counsel of the complainants and senior Supreme Court advocate Biswanath Chatterjee for around three hours and stated that he will give his order at the earliest.

"I have heard both the parties as well as the BCCI and will soon give my order. However since hearing is over as per principles of natural justice, both parties can give their written submissions before the final order is pronounced. Of course, there is a timeline. I can't tell you what happened as the matter is sub-judice. But the order will come out soon,”Jain said.