Cricket

HC orders criminal charges against Pawar

BCCI officials on Tuesday refused to comment on the Calcutta High Court’s directive to initiate criminal proceedings against six top officials for filing false affidavits in the Jagmohan Dalmiya expulsion case, saying their lawyers were handling the issue.

“I don’t know what is the exact decision. Just now I am hearing that such a decision is given by the court. So, unless and until I see the papers, consult our lawyers, I will not be able to answer,” former BCCI president Sharad Pawar, who is among the six against whom criminal proceedings would be initiated, said.

“What we are confident is that we will be able to bring the proper facts before the honourable court,” Pawar said. Asked specifically whether the affidavits were right or wrong, Pawar shot back: “How can I tell you? It’s not my affidavit, I don’t know what affidavit you are referring to.”

Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, who also faces criminal proceedings, echoed a similar view. “We have heard about the development. The BCCI lawyers will handle the issue,” Shah said. BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said he was not aware of the details and it would not be proper to comment on the issue at this stage.

In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court directed initiation of criminal proceedings against BCCI President Sashank Manohar, former Board President Sharad Pawar and four top officials for filing false affidavits in the case.

Tags: bcci, Jagmohan Dalmiya, Kolkata HC, sharad pawar