A conflict of interest complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Virat Kohli for his positions in two business ventures.
“I have received a complaint,” Justice DK Jain, BCCI’s Ethics Officer, confirmed to PTI on Sunday (July 5).
“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.”
The complaint, dated July 4, has been filed by Sanjeev Gupta, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) who has previously made similar complaints against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
“Shri Virat Kohli is occupying two posts at a time in blatant violation to BCCI Rule 38 (4) approved by Supreme Court Of India,” read Gupta’s complaint via an email. “As such, he must relinquish his one post at once in compliance. His two posts are covered as under: A – 38(4)(a) – Player and B – 38(4)(o) – Contractual Entity, to be read with BCCI Rule 38(1) (iii).”
The email further explains: “VIRAT KOHLI SPORTS LLP company have two Directors/Owners namely, Shri Virat Kohli & Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh,” the complaint read. “CORNERSTONE VENTURE PARTNERS LLP company have three Directors/Owners namely, Shri Virat Kohli, Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh & Shri Binoy Bharat Khimji.
“Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh & Shri Binoy Bharat Khimji are also Director/Owners of CORNERSTONE SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT PRIVATE LIMITED,” which, the email further stated, “contracts members of the Indian Team.”
Furthermore, the complainant has also submitted proofs to the BCCI Ethics Officer to justify his allegations. Kohli, like all other Indian cricketers, is currently spending his time at home amid the absence of cricketing scenario.
The Indian captain was last seen in action during the tour of New Zealand. After flagging off the tour with T20I series victory, India suffered thumping defeats in the subsequent ODI and Test series. Kohli was also set to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 13th edition of the IPL. However, the cash-rich tournament was indefinitely postponed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
