Former India captain Rahul Dravid, who is currently the head of National Cricket Academy’s Cricket Operations, is the latest big name to get notice from the Board of Control for Cricket’s Ethics Officer on specific Conflict of Interest allegations levelled against him, PTI reported.
BCCI’s Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer Justice DK Jain has sent a notice after receiving a complaint from Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association life member Sanjeev Gupta.
According to Gupta’s complaint, Dravid is allegedly conflicted as he is the NCA Director and also employed as vice-president of India Cements group, which owns the Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings.
“Yes, I have sent a notice to Rahul Dravid last week after receiving a complaint. He has been given two weeks to reply to the allegations of Conflict of Interest. Based on his reply, I will decide whether to proceed further or not,” Justice Jain confirmed the development.
It is expected that Dravid will have to file his reply by August 16 and then might have to appear for an in-person hearing if Justice Jain deems it important.
Gupta is the same person who had also filed similar Conflict of Interest complaints against veterans Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman for their dual roles as Cricket Advisory Committee members as well as mentor/icon of their respective IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Both had categorically refused that they had any conflicts in their commitments whatsoever. Tendulkar, in fact, in his affidavit said that he didn’t take a penny from Mumbai Indians for his services.
Tendulkar had later made it clear that he won’t continue unless he was given a proper Terms of Reference and Laxman in his reply had said that if his role of mentor was found to be conflicted with his responsibilities as CAC member, he was ready to quit.
The other member of the panel, Sourav Ganguly, also faced Conflict of Interest allegations levelled by Bhaswati Santua for being the Cricket Association of Bengal president as well as the mentor of Delhi Capitals.
The CAC later became defunct and a new one was formed headed by Kapil Dev with Shantha Rangaswamy and Anshuman Gaekwad as its members.