Rajput says ‘humiliation’ after MCA dissolves CIC

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) dissolved the Lalchand Rajput-led Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) due to conflict of interest on Thursday. In his reply on Friday, Rajput questioned whether office bearers have the authority to do so.

Rajput, Samir Dighe and Raju

Kulkarni were part of the threeman committee and had been appointed till March 31.

In an email sent by secretary Sanjay Naik and joint-secretary Shahalam Shaikh, CIC were informed about the committee being dissolved. “We have to inform you that on 9-12-20 honorable Supreme Court of India disposed off the Interlocutory Application filed by MCA without granting any reliefs including conflict of interest.

“Thereafter, the General Body of the association has authorised the Apex Council to appoint all the cricket committees subject to Conflict of Interest compliances. Subsequently, the Apex Council at its meeting held on January 28, 2021 authorised the officebearers to take the call on the cricket committees.

“The office-bearers recognise your immense contribution and your tireless efforts towards Mumbai cricket. However, pursuant to the above, the officebearers decided that the CIC stands dissolved with immediate effect,” the letter stated.

The MCA office bearers and the CIC were at loggerheads during the appointment of the coach for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Meanwhile, Rajput wrote a scathing reply to the mail stating that it’s an attempt to humiliate the cricketers. “I am shocked and surprised to receive the email sent purportedly by the secretaries. Since inception of CIC on 20th August 2020, we have acted and taken decisions within the framework of powers and duties given to CIC. I suspect that action of removing CIC is clearly done with the malicious mind to humiliate cricketers since the attempt by secretaries to appoint coach of Mumbai against CIC recommendation failed,” Rajput stated in his mail addressed to president Vijay Patil. Rajput also questioned CIC’s sacking.