New Delhi: BCCI treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry has questioned COA member Diana Edulji benefitting from a one-time ex-gratia payment given to women international cricketers, implying conflict of interest in the allocation.
Incidentally, Edulji’s sister Behroze, who played one ‘Test’ match for India in the mid 70’s has also been a beneficiary of the BCCI largesse, a policy decision that was taken once committee of administrators (CoA) took over the BCCI administration.
The matter was being talked about in hushed tones in the BCCI circle but has now come out in the open after Chaudhry’s letter.
Chaudhry’s letter makes it clear that he had signed BCCI’s statement of accounts on protest as the powers of treasury has been allegedly taken away from him. He has not been provided with the full details of various transactions made by the board.
He has questioned the manner in which the one-time benefit payment was made without ratification from the Special General Body meeting and an alleged case of Conflict of Interest as Edulji and her direct relative (own sister) were beneficiary to a policy decision taken by a body of which she is herself a part.
Chaudhry in his letter wrote: “It would be imperative to disclose as a subsequent event that the CoA had decided to give one-time benefit to women players and Ms Diana Edulji, who is a member of the CoA, and her sister were a beneficiary of that decision.”
In Edulji’s defence, it needs to be mentioned that she had recused herself at the time (she left the meeting room) when the policy decision was being taken. The matter was minuted. It has however, not cut much ice with senior BCCI officials.
“Even if we accept logic that she recused herself from the meeting, will anyone believe that she was not privy to this policy decision that would have directly benefited her and her sister,” questioned a senior office-bearer.
“Also let us accept that conflict of interest in BCCI is more about perception. If Edulji is allowed to continue as a CoA member, then why was Roger Binny forced to quit the national selection panel when his son Stuart used to be in contention for a place in the India team. Chaudhry has raised a very pertinent question,” added the official.
Repeated text messages to Edulji from this agency went unanswered.
Press Trust of India