Friday September 7, 02:10 AM
BCCI under anti-monopoly lens
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By Corporate Bureau
After the Delhi High Court's direction to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stop intimidating cricketers joining the Essel Group's Indian Cricket League (ICL), it is now the turn of Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) to pull the plug on world's richest cricket body. The anti-monopoly watchdog has initiated an investigation against the BCCI for threatening players, joining the Subhash Chandra-promoted league, with a life-term ban. It has taken suo moto cognisance of newspapers reports that BCCI is threatening players. MRTPC has directed the director general of investigation and registration (DGIR), its investigative arm, to look into threats issued by the BCCI to players joining ICL and has also directed the it to look into the expulsion of former cricket players by the BCCI. The Commission, reportedly, suspects BCCI of adopting restrictive trade practices, which are banned under the MRTP Act. As per the commission's direction, DGIR would also inquire the aspects of BCCI's denial to share infrastructure with ICL, as all the stadiums and machinery are national assets and no one could be deprived from using it, the sources added. The MRTPC has directed DGIR to submit its preliminary investigation report within 60 days. If the current investigation reveals that the cricket body is adopting restrictive trade practices contrary to the interest of players, MRTPC may pass a cease and desist order against BCCI. The high court on August 27 passed an interim order asking public-sector firms, including Air India and IOC, not to dismiss its ICL-affiliated employees after Essel Sports, the promoter of ICL, moved the court to restrain BCCI, headed by NCP leader Sharad Pawar, from intimidating its players.
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