Give Lalit a fair trial: Kishore Rungta

Kishore Rungta who lost to Lalit Modi while contesting for the post of Rajasthan Cricket Association president in 2005, said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should base their allegations against the suspended Indian Premier League commissioner on some 'hard proof' to avoid embarrassment.

Rungta, a former BCCI treasurer, said, "Any legal process has to be just and reputable and if they are going to give somebody a showcause notice it has to be based on solid proof. Without that it will not stand the scrutiny of law."

Modi has questioned the Board basing the charges on unsubstantiated allegations, complaints and innuendos like the Kochi agreement being signed only after a directive from the Board chief, some of the deals being finalised without the knowledge of the IPL Governing Council and his holding proxy stakes in three IPL franchises.

In BCCI's defence, secretary, N Srinivasan replied that some of the charges stemmed from 'oral complaints' the Board chief Shashank Manohar received from his colleagues, renowned players and public figures. Some were based on media reports that tarnished the image of the game and the Board. Other names, he said, cannot be disclosed because the communications were 'confidential and privileged'.

Rungta referred to BCCI's 2006 tussle with Jagmohan Dalmiya and explained, "In the case of Dalmiya, a showcause notice was issued. He was suspended and the court intervened and rescued him. So unless it is based on solid evidence any court of law will obviously turn it down. It is quite natural."

However, Rungta believed that the BCCI would give Lalit Modi a fair trial. "Even if it is an internal enquiry, I am sure the Board will give him an adequate opportunity to establish his case. I have no doubt about that," he signed off.