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The Supreme Court on Thursday suggested Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary N Srinivasan choose between an administrator's role in the Indian Cricket Board or owner of his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings to avoid conflict of interest.
A Bench of Justices J M Panchal and Gyan Sudha Mishra bluntly told Srinivasan, who is a presidential candidate for BCCI's September 29 election, that he may either choose to contest the election or shed his role as owner of Chennai Super Kings.
"Our nagging question is: can you continue in dual capacity? That is the core issue. We are proceeding on the footing that you had a bar on any dual status before your blanket amendment was brought.
"We want to know what grave prejudice will be caused to you if we pass an order that you can either continue as the owner of the IPL team or contest the BCCI election," Justice Sudha, speaking for the Bench, said.
The Bench hastened to add that it is only an observation and not a judgement.
The apex court did not agree with Srinivasan's senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi that there is nothing wrong in the administrator donning the role of the Secretary, contesting the post of President and owning CSK.
"Then resign from BCCI and bid for the IPL. This can be equated with the office of profit. It is a crude explanation.
"We will give you a chance of the two. Whether you want to continue in the BCCI or involve yourself with the IPL and India Cements," the Bench observed during the day-long arguments on former BCCI president A C Muthaiah's petition challenging the amendment brought by the Board to allow its administrators to bid for IPL franchises.