Ethics officer Jain instructs BCCI to be stern regarding Sourav Ganguly’s conflict of interest case

Jain has given Ganguly the benefit of doubt, but has also gone on to explain that he must not hold more than one position.

The BCCI Ethics Officer DK Jain has made it clear to the board that former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has tractable conflict and must relinquish his interests and must not continue in more than one position. In a mail accessed by IANS, Jain has given the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president the benefit of doubt, but has also gone on to explain that he must not hold more than one position.

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“In the instant case, having regard to the afore noted stand of Mr. Ganguly, viz (i) that if it is found by the Ethics Officer that his presence in the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee) has resulted in a “conflict of interest” situation, as envisaged in Rule 38 of the Rules, his Reply in these Complaints may be treated as his resignation there from immediate effect and (ii) that his involvement with the IPL Franchise has come to an end in May 2019, I declare that in the present case the “Conflict of Interest” is tractable, he wrote.

Ganguly faced the music for being the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president as well as the mentor of Delhi Capitals. Ganguly had earlier voiced his resentment against the clause and asked for further clarity, rather than creating exceptions for certain cricketers. But Jain made it clear Ganguly would have to make his mind about not performing duel duties.

“Although it is trite law that the ignorance of the law is no excuse and, Mr. Ganguly was obliged to disclose the requisite information as stipulated in Rule 38(2) of the Rules, but bearing in the mind the fact that the Rules have come into existence only after August 2018, I am inclined to give benefit of doubt to Mr. Ganguly that perhaps he may not have realised that his occupying the said three posts did involve “Conflict of Interest”, the mail further stated.

“Accordingly, I direct the BCCI to ensure that Mr. Sourav Ganguly relinquishes his interests, which give rise to “Conflict of Interest” and does not continue to occupy more than one post as enumerated in Rule 38(4) of the Rules at any given point of time.”

Ganguly also does broadcasting work but does not see his commentary stint with a renowned broadcaster as a conflict.