No interim relief for Super Kings

A two-judge bench of the Madras High Court has refused interim relief to Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. (CSKCL), which in a writ petition had asked for a stay on the recommendations of the Lodha Committee pertaining to Chennai Super Kings' suspension. The court has adjourned the case to September 23, when it will hear "mantainability and merits", and made it clear orally that any decision taken by the BCCI in the meantime will be subject to the court's final orders.

The Lodha panel had proposed suspension of two franchises - Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals - having found them guilty of breaching the IPL code of conduct in the 2013 IPL betting scandal. In a petition filed on August 17, the petitioner had asked the court to put an interim stay on the Lodha committee decision, quash the suspension and tell the BCCI to reinstate Super Kings into the IPL.

Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam asked both the respondents - BCCI and India Cements Ltd - to file a counter and deferred the case. In response to a preliminary application moved by the Cricket Association of Bihar, petitioner in the 2013 IPL corruption scandal, the court asked it to file a counter as well, just like the respondents, within two weeks. After hearing all the parties, the judges adjourned the case to next month.

A relieved BCCI insider confirmed that Friday's working committee meeting will finalise the roadmap for ensuring smooth conduct of the IPL. The court hearing was slated hours before the governing council was to discuss the proposals of the five-member working group on conducting the IPL, which will then be forwarded to the working committee.

On July 19, the governing council had formed the working group to study the Lodha committee order and suggest the future course of action. The working group met with all stakeholders and is set to present its recommendations.

The working committee, the group that manages the affairs of the BCCI, will then take the final call on Friday evening. It remains to be seen if the working committee takes a decision on the matter or waits for the outcome of the court hearing on September 23.