Ethics Commission clears Dravid of conflict charges

New Delhi, Nov. 14: In a big relief for Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid, BCCI ethics officer D.K. Jain on Thursday dismissed the conflict of interest complaint against him, saying it was “bereft of any merit”.

“I have rejected the complaint. Rahul Dravid doesn’t have conflict of interest,” Jain said after issuing the order. “I am convinced that on facts at hands, a case of conflict of interest as enshrined is the Rules is not made out. Resultantly, the complaint is dismissed being bereft of any merit,” read Thursday’s order.

MPCA life member Sanjiv Gupta had filed a complaint against Dravid, alleging conflict of interest in his current role as National

Cricket Academy (NCA) Head and being an India Cements employee. Jain had conducted a second round of hearing on Tuesday when Dravid was represented by his lawyer.

The 46-year-old former India captain had earlier explained his case in a personal hearing held in Mumbai on September 26. Dravid is currently the NCA Director in Bengaluru besides being a vice-president in the India Cements group, which owns the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. He was also the head coach of the India A and Under-19 teams before being handed the NCA role, which includes monitoring the progress of these two sides as well.

In his earlier submission, Dravid had defended himself saying he has taken leave of absence from India Cements and he has nothing to do with the Super Kings. As per Rule 38 (4) of BCCI constitution, no individual can hold more than one post at the same time.

However, in Dravid’s case the ethics officer has interpreted the rule a bit differently while in the order passed in June, Jain had found Ganguly and V. V. S. Laxman conflicted for holding multiple posts. —

● D.K. Jain on Thursday dismissed the conflict of interest complaint against him, saying it was “bereft of any merit”.