Virat Kohli has been dragged into ‘conflict of interest’ row after Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) life member Sanjeev Gupta’s complaint. And BCCI ethics officer DK Jain on Sunday (July 5) confirmed that he is examining the complaint made against the Indian skipper.
In his latest complaint, Gupta has claimed that Kohli is conflicted as he holds two posts – captain of the Indian team and director of a venture which has co-directors linked to a talent management company that has several of his teammates on board.
Gupta has alleged that it is a violation of the BCCI constitution as per which no individual can occupy multiple positions at the same time.
"I have received a complaint. I will examine it and then see if the case is made out or not. If yes, then I have to afford an opportunity to him (Kohli) to respond," Jain quoted as saying by PTI.
Gupta, in his mail to ethics officer, mentioned that Kohli, who is one of the directors at Cornerstone Venture Partners LLP and Virat Kohli Sports LLP, is conflicted as his co-directors – Amit Arun Sajdeh and Binoy Bharat Khimji – are also a part of the talent management company Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited.
Kohli doesn’t hold any post in Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited. The company manages the commercial interests of the Indian captain and his many other teammates including KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav.
"In view of the above, Shri Virat Kohli is occupying two posts at a time in blatant violation to BCCI Rule 38 (4) approved by Supreme Court Of India. As such, he must relinquish his one post at once in compliance...," wrote Gupta in his complaint.
It is not the first time that Sanjeev Gupta has raised the ‘conflict of interest’ issue. He has previously registered complaints against the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Kapil Dev among others and they had to relinquish multiple posts.
BCCI President Ganguly has already stated that the ‘conflict of interest’ norms as recommended by the Lodha Panel are unrealistic.
(With PTI inputs)
