HC directs BCCI not to touch any cricketer while petition pending

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Delhi High Court today categorically told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to take any action against the cricketers willing to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL) till it hears the petition of the 'rebel' League in detail.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul issued notices to BCCI, Union of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Urban Developement, Ministry of Defence, Karnataka State Cricket Association to file their replies by September 28 so that the court starts hearing the petition on October 5.

ICL has accused the BCCI of threatening the players who have joined the League.

The petition has also accused BCCI of intimidating players and other state organisations affiliated to the Board.

According to the ICL petition, BCCI had admitted in the Supreme Court that they were a private body affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

It (BCCI) neither has any statutory nor other right to a monoply to organise cricket matches. It has also no recognition from the government, the petition said.

BCCI had earlier submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that it does not select the Indian team.

A team selected by them is no more than a team playing for it; that it has no monopoly in organising the game of cricket and it is open to any organization who was so minded to organize the cricket matches in india.

Pratibha Singh and Maninder Singh, counsels for ICL, sought the court's intervention in stopping the BCCI to exceed its limits by expelling the players as well as withdrawing their benefits.

After the launch of ICL, the board has prevented state cricket associations from offering their grounds to the new league.

It had also withdrawn benifits, including the pensions of former and current cricketers associated with the ICL.

UNI