TNCA chief Rupa Gurunath in conflict of interest tangle as BCCI upholds complaint filed by former MPCA member

CHENNAI:  The BCCI’s ethics officer Justice (retd) DK Jain has upheld a conflict of interest complaint against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) president Rupa Gurunath.

Jain has also directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take requisite steps in accordance with law to ensure due compliance. Justice Jain had received a complaint from Sanjeev Gupta from Indore, who is a former life member of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), on November 23 last year.

Gupta had said Gurunath is holding more than two posts, which is not allowed under the BCCI’s new constitution. After hearing the case for over six months, Justice Jain issued his order on Thursday.

Rupa, the first woman president of a BCCI affiliated unit, is a full-time Director of India Cements Limited (ICL).

She has been found guilty of indirect conflict of interest for ICL's close association with Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL).

The 13-page order states that CSKCL is a part of the ICL "umbrella".

CSKCL owns the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise.

The TNCA can challenge the order, a copy which is with PTI, in a court of law.

“In the given factual scenario, it can be safely inferred that the Respondent (Gurunath), in her capacity as the Whole Time Director and Promoter of ICL, has close association with the Trustees of IC Shareholders Trust and the Directors of CSKCL, both of which indirectly or directly have interest in CSKCL, which has a Franchise Agreement with the BCCI. This is one of the recognised forms of conflict of interest, as identified in Rule 38(1) (i) oaf the Rules,” the order said. The TNCA is understood to be looking at the legal options.

Rule 38 (1)(i) of BCCI constitution pertains to 'Conflict of Interest -- direct or indirect.

"Direct or Indirect Interest constitutes: When BCCI, a member, the IPL or a franchise enter into contractual arrangements with entities in which the individual concerned or his/her relative, partner, or close associate has an interest.

"This is to include cases where family members, partners or close associates are in position that may or may be seen to compromise an individual participation, performance or discharge of roles."

Jain observed in his order that Rupa's is a case of "indirect" conflict of interest if not "direct" since CSKCL has entered into a franchise agreement with the BCCI.

While concluding his 21-point order, Jain wrote "For all the aforementioned reasons, Ethics Officer is of the that a case of conflict of interest is made out against the Respondent. It is held accordingly."

"Having arrived at the aforesaid conclusion, the BCCI shall take requisite steps in accordance with law, to ensure due compliance of Rule 38 (2) of the Rules in case of the Respondent."

It must be mentioned that Rule 38 (2) as per BCCI constitution, pertains to failure of disclosure.

"The failure to issue a complete disclosure or any partial or total suppression thereof would render the individual open to disciplinary action which may include termination or removal without benefits.

"It is clarified that declaration doesn't lead to presumption that in fact a questionable situation exists, but is merely for information and transparency."

This order could be one of the last passed by Jain as his contract ends later this week on June 7 unless the BCCI decides to renew it.

It will be interesting to see what the BCCI's stand would be and whether it would ask Rupa to step down from TNCA president's chair.

It also has the discretion to allow the state body to appeal against the order either to a new Ethics Officer or in court.

(With PTI Inputs)