Decision on Modi recusal issue on August 1

The BCCI's disciplinary committee has pushed to August 1 a decision on suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi's request for the removal of interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin and BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley from the committee. However, a BCCI statement said the committee did agree to provide Modi with several documents sought by his counsel.

"The core issue of recusal of two members from the panel was debated," Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi said after the hearing in Delhi that lasted three and a half hours. "Our lawyers argued the case. The BCCI will be allowed to come out with a rejoinder."

Abdi was adamant that a neutral judge should be part of the panel. "A retired Supreme Court judge must be there in the committee. We have grave concern about the BCCI's stance," he said. "If they have already decided then what's the point in all their meetings? Whosoever is doing this is hurting BCCI's cause more."

The board agreed to hand over copies of the minutes from the special general body meeting held earlier this month at which the charges against Modi were ratified, and relevant extracts of two IPL governing council meetings (April 26 and June 25). Modi's lawyers were also given a copy of the amended agreement between the BCCI and Sony-MSM on condition of the strictest confidentiality. Abdi had asked for these documents three days ago, saying they were "crucial to the proceedings".

The decisions were taken at the committee's second hearing, which Modi skipped citing security concerns. "In the last meeting we had given reason to the BCCI about his (Modi) absence and the Board has accepted that," Abdi said. "We feel his absence won't affect the proceedings because I am here to represent him. It will be decided if he can come later depending on the situation."

A day ahead of the hearing Modi had denied that he was hindering the enquiry. "Rumours of non-cooperation from me are planted and irresponsible," he tweeted. "If this is not a witch hunt, what is! Have always agreed to cooperate provided there is no witch hunt. Those concerned should be guardians of justice and the sport."

Modi has repeatedly demanded the removal of Amin from the panel, claiming he holds a grudge because Modi revealed he was part of a failed bid for one of the two new IPL franchises. Modi's lawyers have also argued Jaitley should not be on the panel either because he had voted to ratify the charges against Modi at the board's special general body meeting.

The BCCI suspended Modi immediately following the conclusion of IPL 3 in April and charged him with financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. He was also charged with colluding to set up a rebel league in England.