Lalit Modi, disgraced founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), was on Tuesday declared the head a state cricket association, despite a life ban from the sport, in the first step of an unlikely comeback bid.
Modi, exiled in London after the Indian government revoked his passport over corruption allegations, was finally named as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) following elections in December after the Supreme Court allowed the results to be announced.
But former colleagues at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had been trying to block the announcement, refused to recognise the results and suspended the RCA until further notice.
“The Supreme Court had directed that if it is found by BCCI that any person has acted against its rules, regulations or law, it would be open to it to take action against such a person,” board secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement.
“In pursuance of the order, Shivlal Yadav, interim President, BCCI, has suspended the Rajasthan Cricket Association from the membership of the BCCI, pending disciplinary proceedings against it on charges of misconduct.”
The release added that an ad-hoc committee would be formed to run cricket in Rajasthan “in order to safeguard the best interests and welfare of the cricketers playing the game and their future”.
The BCCI last September imposed a life ban on Modi holding any cricket post after finding him guilty of serious acts of indiscipline and misconduct over allegations that he had siphoned off funds.
The life ban came a little over three years after Modi was removed as IPL chairman and BCCI vice-president following the end in 2010 of the third edition of the popular Twenty20 league.
The 50-year-old head of a business family, who is also being investigated by the government on corruption and money-laundering charges, has in the past denied all allegations against him.
The life ban was unrelated to spot-fixing and betting scandals swirling around the IPL, which caused the Supreme Court to force BCCI chief Narainswamy Srinivasan to stand down until investigations were completed.
The IPL, which began in 2008, features the world’s top players signed up for huge fees by companies and individuals in a glitzy mix of sport and entertainment.