The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to appeal against the order passed on Friday (July 17) by the Bombay High Court-appointed arbitrator, which directed the BCCI to pay the defunct Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers (DC) Rs 4800 crore in a case of contract termination.
In September 2012, the IPL governing council had terminated DC, which was challenged in the court by Deccan Chronicle Holdings (DCHL). DC had appealed to the Bombay HC, claiming damages of Rs 6046 crore plus interest and charges.
The process of arbitration began with Justice (retd) CK Thakar as the sole mediator. After which, the BCCI offered its own reasoning behind terminating the franchise’ contract.
Now, a board official has spoken to IANS and said that an appeal in response would be made after going through the complete order.
“To be honest, it has come as a surprise, and it would be fascinating to see what the Ld. The arbitrator has relied upon, and one can only make a proper assessment only upon reading the order, but you can be sure that the BCCI would go in appeal against this award since it does have an excellent case,” the official told IANS.
The Chargers won the title in 2009 edition of IPL under the leadership of Australia wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist. The IPL was held in South Africa in 2009 due to the general elections in India.
Earlier, Maneesha Dhir, the Managing Partner of Dhir & Dhir Associates, who represented DHCL, said that the company had been granted Rs 36 crore as an admitted amount payable under the Franchise Agreement.
“The sole arbitrator on Friday upheld the termination to be illegal and granted damages to the tune of Rs 630 crores and compensation to DCHL to the tune of Rs 4160 crores. DCHL has also been granted Rs 36 crore as an admitted amount payable under the Franchise Agreement” Dhir had said.