HC declines to restrain BCCI fom conducting AGM

Chennai, Sep 21 (UNI) Madras High Court today declined to restrain the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from conducting its 77th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled to be held on September 27 and 28 in Mumbai.

Mr Jusice M E N Patrudu declined to grant an interim injunction while disposing of a petition filed by Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP), represented by its Honorary Secretary P Damodaran, who also sought to accord full membership to CAP.

The Judge directed the BCCI to consider the representation of CAP for Associate Membership (AM) of BCCI as per its rules and regulation and pass orders. If CAP was granted membership, it can participate in the AGM, the judge added.

Earlier, during the course of arguments senior counsel P S Raman, appearing for BCCI, submitted that court cannot direct the BCCI to grant membership. If they had applied and no decision was taken, the court can only direct the Board to consider the application. Moreover, Full Membership cannot be given to anyone, unless they possess AM status. The petitioner had not even applied for Associate Membership, he added.

Senior Counsel T R Rajagopal, appearing for CAP submitted that the CAP had submitted its representation for AM in December 2004 itself. But the BCCI was yet to pass any orders.

Mr Raman said if that be so, the court can direct the BCCI to consider the application of CAP.

UNI XR ROY AY PM1908