Conflict of Interest: BCCI Ombudsman issues notices to Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman

Justice Jain took this action following a complaint filed by Sanjeev Gupta, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association

After dealing with Sourav Ganguly’s case of ‘conflict of interest’, BCCI ombudsman DK Jain has served notices to former Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman on similar grounds. While Tendulkar is the mentor of Mumbai Indians, Laxman is in the same capacity for Sunrisers Hyderabad. At the same time, both the former cricketers are the members of Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Justice Jain took this action following a complaint filed by Sanjeev Gupta, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). The Ombudsman, in his notice, has asked both Tendulkar and Laxman to file written responses to the allegations by April 28 and has also simultaneously asked BCCI to file their response. As per the notice to Tendulkar and Laxman, Justice Jain wrote, “A complaint has been received by the Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (for short "the BCCI") under Article 39 of the Rules and Regulations of the BCCI, regarding certain acts, allegedly constituting as 'conflict of interest' on your part. “You may file your written response to the accompanying Complaint, supported by duly executed affidavit, on or before 28th April 2019, with the Office of the Ethics Officer, BCCI, Mumbai for further proceedings in the matter,” he further stated. Jain also stated that failure to respond will mean that no further chance to explain their points of view will be given. “On your failure to respond to the present notice, the Ethics Officer shall be constrained to proceed in your absence, without giving any further opportunity of filing a response to the Complaint, to you,” wrote Justice Jain. As learned from the reports, Tendulkar, who celebrated his 46th birthday on Wednesday, and Laxman were not available for comments.