7th March
As the cross examination of top bcci officials by Lalit Modi Lawyers is underway, truth about the onus of alleged FEMA violations by office bearers of BCCI is revealing like onion rings. Shashank Manohar and Prof. Shetty have already been cross examined by Lalit Modi's counsels Swadeep Hora and Abhishek Singh.
Shashank Manohar was told that he has been less than economical in his disclosures both before Bombay High Court and the ED. Manohar took the plea that he was only aware about the deliberations of the working committee meeting 22 March 2009 wherein it was account will be opened in South Africa for hosting the IPL with the approval of the RBI. He asserted before High court and the ED that he did not know about the further actions in the matter.
On the other hand, on the same day Prof. Ratnakar Shetty revealed the Manohar as then President of BCCI was fully aware of the subsequent proceeding like opening of an overseas account which required RBI permission and also the agreement signed between BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The contradictions between the two officials' version of events and proceedures speaks volumes about the purpose of shifting the blame of funds transfer for holding IPL in South Africa on Lalit Modi by the BCCI officials.
Interestingly, in reply to the question of Lalit Modi Lawyers Shashank Manohar accepted that N.Srinivasan was never positively disposed towards Lalit Modi and nurtured animosity towards him.
IPL was only a sub committee of BCCI. Lalit Modi had no financial powers either to take financial decisions nor had any check signing authority. Signatories to financial instruments was the Treasurer BCCI.
The cross examination is getting curious. Prasanna Kannan and N.Srinivasan are summoned by ED authority for cross examination.
N.Srinivasan, like Chirayu Amin and Sundar Raman has skipped and sought adjournment.
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