Calcutta HC - Dalmiya's suspension from BCCI illegal

Kolkata, July 20 (IANS) Top cricket administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya Friday won a major battle when the Calcutta High Court termed as illegal his suspension by the Indian cricket board and ruled that he could contest any cricket body poll from anywhere in India.

Dalmiya was suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and then forced to resign as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Dec 16 last year. He had challenged the BCCI in Calcutta High Court and appealed that he be allowed to contest polls.

The appeal was allowed.

Justice Indira Banerjee temporarily stayed Dalmiya's suspension, paving the way for him to contest the CAB elections, hours before the deadline for filing nominations at 4 p.m. Friday.

"Suspension has been stayed for insufficient documents against Dalmiya presented by the BCCI," the judge stated.

BCCI lawyers said they would challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

"I am happy but I won't comment much till I get the court papers," the 67-year-old former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief told IANS soon after the verdict was delivered.

The verdict is likely to impact on CAB elections and its July 28 annual general meeting (AGM).

Incumbent Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Prasun Mukherjee Thursday presented his panel for the forthcoming elections. Dalmiya would inform the media about his decision later in the day.

Dalmiya may have been out of cricket administration since he was expelled from BCCI, but even today he wields plenty of clout within CAB. The CAB's 121-vote electorate comprises a vote each from the 94 Kolkata-based clubs, 18 districts, eight universities and the Office Sports Federation.