Lalit Modi blames BCCI over the website row
What's the story
Former IPL chairman, Lalit Modi has lashed out at the BCCI, a day after the cricket board's official website, www.bcci.tv went offline, after the board failed to renew the domain in time. Lalit Modi, who is currently living in exile, owns the BCCI's website and issued a statement through his counsel Mehmood Abdi on Monday.
Quote
Lalit Modi released a statement blaming BCCI
"Despite having been treated so unjustly by BCCI, Lalit Modi still keeps the domains alive and functional for the good of cricket and its administration," the statement read.
Breach of trust?
Lalit Modi owns BCCI's website despite ban
The BCCI website fiasco dates back to 2007, when Lalit Modi was one of the board's vice-presidents and registered numerous domains on behalf of the cricket board, including the IPL's domain. The domains were, however, registered in his own name instead of the BCCI's. The board claims that Modi registered over 100 domains and got the cost reimbursed.
Quote
Lalit Modi says he brought in digitization into BCCI
"Modi reinvented the BCCI in many ways. Digitalization was one such sphere... the mindset of the BCCI functionaries was archaic vis-a-vis latest IPR avenues like domain names etc, Modi himself took the initiative and got host of domain names registered by him." the statement concluded.
BCCI awaits verdict
BCCI and Modi are in a court tussle over website
Post Lalit Modi's ouster from the board in 2013, the BCCI approached the Bombay High Court to get back the domains from him accusing him of breach of trust. The court has reserved its final decision and said before the final decision all the payments for domains need to be put on auto-renewal, on a credit card owned by Lalit Modi.
Background
BCCI had found Lalit Modi guilty of 22 charges
BCCI had suspended Lalit Modi, holding him guilty on 22 charges. The charges included not consulting the council while taking decisions, money laundering, selling franchises to family members, betting, accepting kickbacks and awarding contracts to his friends and bid rigging. Enforcement Directorate of India has also issued a show cause notice to him regarding an illegal transfer of Rs 90 cr to UK.