Kochi Tuskers Kerala appeals to High Court for BCCI assets

The owners of the Kochi Tuskers have put Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under pressure with their legal approach

The owners of Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rendezvous Sports World (RSW), have approached for application towards Bombay High Court to acquire movable and immovable properties of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The franchise referred an arbitration award in a dispute over its termination where the arbitrator, former Chief Justice of India R C Lahoti, had held in its favour.  The arbitrator had ordered BCCI to pay the franchise a total sum of Rs 384.83 Crore in lieu of special and general damages incurred along with 18 percent annual interest for four years, return the Rs 153 Cr bank guarantee to RSW and pay an additional Rs 72 lakh for the legal fees incurred, on June 15. ALSO READ: BCCI to challenge Lahoti report over KTK report

Accumulated over a period of four years, BCCI was liable to pay more than Rs 900 Cr to Kochi Tuskers Kerala along with the heavy consolidated interest rates. The BCCI then decided to appeal in court against the arbitration award given in favor of Kochi Tuskers Kerala, saying the arbitrator had gone before the scope of franchise agreement, in November. As mentioned on cricbuzz.com, the board’s challenge is yet to come for hearing.

The plea filed by the Tuskers before the High Court on November 27, the sacked franchise has approached the court to “attach all or any assets standing in the name of the judgement debtor (BCCI)” and also requesting BCCI to disclose the details of all its assets held directly or indirectly and more. BCCI’s legal advisor and lawyer Usha Nath Banerjee mentioned that the board has already appealed to the court with regards to the franchise and since the hearing will take place at a later stage, BCCI would have to wait before commenting. ALSO READ: Promoting Kerala Tourism or Kochi Tuskers Kerala?

The Rendezvous petition says, “The decree holders (Kochi Tuskers representatives) understand that on September 16, 2015, the judgment debtor (BCCI) filed proceedings before the court under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act against the award. However, till date the court has not admitted the said arbitration petition and no orders have been passed therein.” This matter has come up at a time when the board is building its image amongst the previous Indian Premier League (IPL) scandals. ALSO READ: Lalit Modi: I signed Kochi Tuskers Kerala bid under pressure

A source who knows the matter says, “Kochi is a very serious issue and it has to be seen how it is handled. The BCCI has anyways got a lot on its hands, especially with the Justice R M Lodha committee coming out with the set of reforms in January.”  Before or after the arbitration process, both the parties have not attempted to speak to each other on the matter for over four years. Earlier, Tuskers also mentioned that they would love to make a comeback in IPL if things are sorted amicably, but BCCI has not said anything on this matter yet.