Modi hits out at BCCI, says reliable source is fiction

Published>Wed, May 12 10 06:57 PM

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) The Indian cricket board had used 'fiction' to justify its charges against him, suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi hit out in an email Wednesday, continuing the long-drawn out battle of words with BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan.

In his reply to Srinivasan's Monday's email, stating he has no record of Board of Control for Cricket in India chief Shashank Manohar's oral communications with a cross-section of people, Modi wanted to know whether the Board intended to rely on the missive or use it against him.

The tainted Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Modi also questioned the veracity of the information supplied by a 'reliable source', saying the Board had come up with 'fiction' to justify its charges against him, giving the information a 'privileged and confidential' garb.

'You have declined to name the alleged 'reliable source' who allegedly orally communicated with the BCCI. You have sought to justify this by claiming that this oral communication was 'privileged and confidential.' This confirms my apprehension that there is no 'reliable source' and this is all fiction and the 'privilege and confidential' claim made is only to cover this up.

'Assuming (whilst denying) that this phantom 'reliable source' exists, the withholding of the name of the alleged 'reliable source,' for the reasons stated, is illegal and unjustified. This is also manifestly unfair. I cannot respond to the 'unknown' nor be condemned on the basis thereof. This alleged oral communication from the alleged 'reliable source' is required to be wholly excluded from consideration in these proceedings. Please confirm the same.'

Modi reiterated his contention that no material other than the documents given to him should form part of the inquiry and wanted confirmation to that effect from the BCCI secretary.

If the oral communication is to be used against him, then Modi said he wanted to have the names of the persons who spoke to the Board president and the content.

'In your e-mail you have confirmed that the communications allegedly received by the BCCI president from Senior Officers, Committee members and others expressing their concern about tarnishing the image of the BCCI and the game of cricket were all oral communications. Could you please urgently confirm whether you intend to rely upon them and/or use them against me.

'If you do intend to do so, please let me know (a) who were the persons who made these oral communications, (b) when were these oral communications sent and (c) what was the content of these communications,' asked Modi.

Modi made it clear that he needs answers to allay his apprehensions since he intends to cross-examine people who have orally communicated to the Board president against him.

'You will appreciate that these are simple, direct and straightforward requests and accord with basic principles of fairness and natural justice. A clear and early response would be greatly appreciated, since the extension granted for filing my reply is till close of Saturday 15th May.

'I reserve my liberty to seek an opportunity to cross-examine the persons who are said to have made oral communications, against me, to the President, if the BCCI intends to rely upon the same.'

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