Ex-judge sits out with double pay

Even as former Supreme Court Judge S. Mohan landed in Kolkata to conduct today8217;s BCCI election, a division bench of the Madras High Court set aside his appointment as the commissioner for the polls. However, the court directed that the former Judge, even though he would not preside over the polls, should be given a double pay of Rs 2 lakh plus incidental expenses and 8216;8216;offered his due respect and dignity8217;8217; during his stay in Kolkata.

Yesterday, a single HC judge had appointed Mohan to officiate as the election commissioner and fixed his pay as Rs. 1 lakh. Setting aside the single judge order today, the division bench of the Madras HC, comprising Justices P.D. Dinakaran and K. Ravirajapandian, said: 8216;8216;We are in view that the impugned order of the single judge need not be in existence. And the same is set aside.8217;8217; The court said the BCCI counsel, in his petition seeking a stay on the single-judge order, had given an undertaking that the election would be held strictly in accordance with the BCCI constitution.

The bench directed that Mohan be treated with high dignity and no room should be given for him to 8216;8216;feel embarrassed8217;8217;. The BCCI shall not disqualify any person contesting for the post of presidentship, the court said. The Chennai-based Netaji Cricket Club, a fifth division league team, had filed a petition yesterday seeking appointment of a poll commissioner for the BCCI election.

Meanwhile, the city civil court today restrained the BCCI from confirming its resolution passed on September 12 nominating outgoing BCCI president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, as the patron-in-chief of the cricket body. The city civil court judge, Mohideen Pitchai, granted the interim injunction on the resolution based on a petition filed by Bharathi Cricket Club.