SPORTS
Preity Zinta lobbies for permission in Delhi, returns empty-handed.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council meet in Mumbai on Monday, actress Preity Zinta was in the capital to seek permission for the sale of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Zinta is a co-owner of the IPL team whose sale to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for Rs1,800 crore has been held up for want of a green signal from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and government agencies.
Zinta called on several members of the IPL governing council, including Arun Jaitley, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Rajiv Shukla and officials of the finance and corporate affairs ministries. Shukla admitted to meeting the actress in connection with the sale of the team and said: “What can we do when the matter is pending with the government? The government has to give its clearance first, only then can we take a decision.”
Zinta reportedly also met corporate affairs minister Salman Khurshid, who maintained that the IPL was not tainted, but certain issues of company law violations and revenue are under investigation.
KXIP is under the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and corporate affairs ministries’ scanner for its source of funding, especially its Mauritius connection. The ED is digging deep into the matter because 23% of the team’s shares are held by Colway, a company registered in Mauritius. It is also suspected that suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi holds some shares in KXIP. Modi’s prolonged absence from the country and his reluctance to show up before the ED has compounded Zinta’s problems.
Within three years, the value of KXIP has risen from Rs357 crore to Rs1,800 crore, raising eyebrows. Its sale - the first among IPL teams - is considered a test case. Even the fact that Chelsea boss Abramovich purchased the team and deposited the entire amount in advance in escrow in a Delhi bank attracted the BCCI and government’s attention.
Zinta, industrialist Ness Wadia and Colway, an offshore company in Mauritius linked to Gaurav Burman and Karima Sagrani, each have a 23% stake in the team.
The others with a stake in KXIP are Karan Paul of Apeejay Surendra (4%), Aditya Khanna, through Roots Investment (4%), Windy, once a Dabur company, acquired by Gaurav Burman, (11.5%), and MB Finmart, owned by Dabur’s Mohit Burman, (11.5%). The actress has told BCCI officials that she would retain 7% of her equity in KXIP and remain associated with the IPL. Earlier reports had suggested that a London-based private equity firm was interested in acquiring 93% of the team’s share.
BCCI president Shashank Manohar, chief administrative officer of the board Ratnakar Shetty and IPL vice-president Niranjan Shah refused to throw light on the matter.
A huge star-cast is fine but does this compromise the soul of Singham Again?
Shah Rukh Khan's heartfelt gesture towards jewellery store staff wins internet, watch
DNA TV Show: Public calls out celebrities’ hypocrisy on Diwali pollution
Fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63: Last year, he was on ventilator for heart ailments
BCCI scraps India's intra squad warm-up game ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reason revealed
Legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63 after prolonged illness
Another terrorist attack in J-K, militants shoot two non-locals in Budgam
Meet Anish Sarkar, world's youngest FIDE-rated chess player at 3 years
Bigg Boss 18: These two wild cards to enter Salman Khan's show, get into heated argument on stage
Fact check: Did Abhishek Bahchan tie knot with Nimrat Kaur amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai?
Govardhan Puja 2024: History, significance, Puja timings; why it is celebrated after Diwali?
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Birthday: Kajol pens heartfelt wishes for actress, calls her…
Dhirubhai Ambani played matchmaker for Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, he did...
Amid Diwali festivities, UPI sets new record in October with transactions over…
PM Modi's BIG attack on Congress: 'Making unreal promises is easy but...'
Singham Again box office collection day 1: Ajay Devgn film beats Kartik Aaryan-starrer, earns Rs...
'Always fun to...': Google CEO Sundar Pichai shares why Diwali is his 'favourite time of the year'
Why Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals parted ways ahead of IPL 2025 auction? Report makes huge claim
'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', 'Singham Again' banned in Saudi Arabia; know why
Delhi Government announces public holiday for THIS festival, find details here
Despite festive season, Rs 7.90 lakh cars lying unsold, it is worth...; here's the reason
'CSK Ne Chaal Chal Di': Ex-India star takes humourous dig at franchise’s decision on MS Dhoni
IPL 2025: 23-year-old Agra cricketer gets staggering salary increase of 6900 per cent, to earn.....
Nita Ambani turns 60: Know Mukesh Ambani's wife's lavish lifestyle, income, houses and more
NASA shares Diwali wishes with a cosmic twist, reveals Hubble image of...
What is an onion bomb? One killed, six injured in firecracker explosion in Andhra Pradesh
Meet IIT-JEE topper with AIR 1, who scored 341 marks in JEE Advanced, went on to pursue...
25 Billion Kilometers and Broken Voice: The Voyager 1 Saga
Mukesh Ambani's superhit plan for Jio users, 2GB data per day, unlimited calls at just Rs...
Bigg Boss 18: Shehzada Dhami out from Salman Khan's show? Here's what we know
Virat Kohli's epic dance move to 'My Name is Lakhan' during IND vs NZ match goes viral, WATCH
Indian man asking Selena Gomez to chant 'Jai Shree Ram' leaves internet furious, video goes viral
Lioness and leopard engage in fierce battle on tree top, what happens next will leave you shocked
OnePlus 13 launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC: Price details, battery and other specifications
Apple CEO Tim Cook shares Diwali photo, gives shoutout to Delhi photographer, post goes viral
LPG commercial cylinder price hiked from November 1; check revised rates in your city
Swiggy's next BIG step, set to challenge Mukesh Ambani in…
Singham Again review: A solid Ajay Devgn headlines Rohit Shetty's biggest entertainer
Bibek Debroy, noted economist and PM Modi's Economic Council Chairman, dies at 69
Bank Holidays In November 2024: Banks to remain closed for 12 days, state-wise list here
No respite for citizens, Delhi registers warmest October in 73 years
Girl's jalebi-rum cocktail video goes viral, social media says 'uff moment', WATCH
Good news for Gautam Adani, as he gets richer by Rs 39,000 crore in a week due to...
US Defence Secretary Austin discusses 'regional de-escalation' with Israeli counterpart Gallant
Govardhan Puja 2024: Shubh muhurat, rituals, significance of Annukut
Singham Again first cut review by DNA: Ajay Devgn leads an explosive film in style
Diwali 2024: Check Lakshmi Puja muhurat, timing, rituals for November 1
Ratan Tata's Will: Who will get Tata's beachfront Colaba residence, luxury car collection?
Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani live on 27th floor of Rs 15000 crore Antilia, know who all have access
Seven killed in Israel after Hezbollah targets Metula, Haifa, IDF pounds Lebanon, Syria
LPG prices to telecom rules: 5 major changes will come into effect today
Bank holiday on Diwali: Are banks open or closed on November 1? Check state-wise bank holiday list
Diwali muhurat trading session today: Know timing, significance and more
IND vs NZ: When, where to watch India vs New Zealand 3rd Test match live on TV and online
Meet IPS officer, who was an established athlete, later cracked UPSC with AIR...
IND vs NZ 3rd Test, Mumbai weather forecast: Will rain play spoilsport on Day 1 at Wankhede stadium?