The new regime at the BCCI mounted a two-pronged attack on its predecessors today, setting off what is likely to be a bitter, prolonged battle. At stake is a lot of money, prestige and reputation.The official version came from Board treasurer N. Srinivasan, who said there were ‘‘certain issues’’ against Jagmohan Dalmiya relating to how money from the 1996 World Cup was handled and spent.‘‘The Working Committee has authorised the president to decide on the process and decision of taking any action. There were no papers (on the audited accounts) prior to April 2005 and we have asked him to submit the audited accounts of the Board and other correspondence regarding PILCOM (the committee that handled the World Cup),’’ Srinivasan said after the BCCI working committee meeting on Tuesday.No such subtlety from vice-president Lalit Modi. His statements, made before and after Srinivasan’s version, let Dalmiya have it with both barrels. ‘‘After going through the papers and various documentations, I find a prima facie case against Jagmohan Dalmiya of misappropriation of funds. For example, on February 4, he had taken out money from one account and there is no explanation where that money went. This is a clear case of fraud. Dalmiya has sought seven days to answer these queries and after that we will decide if a show-cause notice has to be given or not.’’When contacted for his comment, Dalmiya told The Indian Express: ‘‘It’s witch-hunt by certain influential members. They had no other agenda, and the entire scenario inside was pathetic. There’s no sense of order there, two or three people were shouting at me and I was not given any chance to say anything. I am under no pressure or in any sort of trouble. If they think they can corner me, they are mistaken.’’Then he signalled that this would not be the end: ‘‘I never wanted to make all this public but because they have violated the norm of going to the media, I am forced to put all papers in public. A lot of those decisions had happened during Bindra’s time as BCCI president and because he was suspended from the Board during my tenure, he’s taking me on now for revenge,” he added.An internal note by the BCCI, based on the report by a chartered accountant, P.B. Srinivasan, who visited Kolkata as authorised representative of the Board in his capacity as a chartered accountant to check on PILCOM accounts poses several questions. The note, circulated to the media, asks:• Why was the Kolkata bank account meant for legal expenses relating to PILCOM closed on February 4, 2006, when Dalmiya was not authorized to do so as he ceased to be Convenor Secretary from January 23, 2006?• It is pertinent to note that even though the balance was only Rs 17,67,375 (at time of closure), cheque issued by CAB (in favour of BCCI) is for Rs 39,41,981. This gives room for suspicion that some funds from PILCOM account may have been transferred/ diverted to CAB.• Why was Rs 65,000 cash withdrawn every month from April 2005 to December 2005 without any voucher or supporting documents?• Why have the audited accounts of the BCCI from 1996-2006 yet to be furnished?• Money to the tune of $4m is due from World Tel towards TV rights. The balance lying with the Citibank account, London is only around $3.77m. Where has the rest of the money gone?
