Edulji has claimed in the recent past that Rai has ignored her during many important decisions.
Diana Edulji sought clarity from Supreme Court on her role in the ongoing tussle with BCCI's Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai.
Edulji has claimed in the recent past that Rai has ignored her during many important decisions. Starting from appointing inquiry committee to probe sexual harassment charges against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, appointment of India's women team coach and now giving CEO powers to decide on the fate of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul post a TV chat show, the former India skipper claims her COA colleague has repeatedly dumped her views.
The continuing feud between the two SC-appointed COA members finally forced Edulji to take this unusual step of reaching SC premises with her own lawyer, Amit Sibal, to file her side of the story. Though, the content of her application has not been made public, it is learnt that she has urged the court to "urgently address the issue whether Rai has any veto power to ignore her on key issues when there are only two members in the COA".
This is the first appearance from any of the COA members in the SC in nearly two years ever since the court appointed the administrators to implement Justice Lodha panel recommendations.
However, the special bench comprising Justices SA Bobde and AM Sapre postponed the matter to next week citing amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium's resignation from his role due to health reasons. The court further nominated senior advocate PS Narasimha as the new amicus curiae to handle this matter.
Stalemate in BCCI
As the hearing resumed, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing some of the state associations, pleaded that COA itself should be wrapped up as its mandate is over.
"COA job is over as BCCI constitution has been registered. There is a need for early elections to run the Board smoothly," said Mehta.
Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi also argued that COA cannot foist an ombudsman on a "private body" like the BCCI. A separate set of BCCI lawyers also argued how there is a complete stalemate between Rai and Edulji, which is hampering the administration.
COA lawyer Parag Tripathi though demanded an early appointment of ombudsman to deal with issues like of Pandya and Rahul. "The COA decided that they should not play further till ombudsman decides. There is need for an ombudsman," he submitted.
After hearing the various submissions, the bench asked the lawyers to "hold fire" till new amicus Curiae resumes his duties.
No early return for duo
The postponement of hearing ruled out any earlier return of Pandya and Rahul to the national squad.
This despite the fact that both, Pandya and Rahul, have pleaded guilty to the charge of indiscipline and misconduct imposed on them by the COA over their comments recently on a TV chat show. CEO Johri conducted an initial hearing with the players over phone and submitted the players' explanations to the COA on Tuesday.
COA lawyer insisted that the two players can't return to playing cricket until the ombudsman decides their plea. Currently, both the cricketers are under suspension pending an inquiry following their controversial comments on Koffee with Karan.
The other issue where COA pushed for suspension of voting rights for non-compliant states in its 10th Status Report has also not been taken up on Thursday.
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