Court reserves order on Azhar's interim application

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

The second additional chief judge of the Hyderabad city civil court has reserved till April 20 his order on an interim application of former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin seeking production of documents on the appointment of K Madhavan as vigilance commissioner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Azharuddin's main suit, challenging the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI for his alleged role in match-fixing, as well as four interim applications filed by him came up before Second Additional Chief Judge J Syama Sundara Rao on Monday.

Arguments were heard regarding the interlocutory application on production of documents on Madhavan's appointment.

Azharuddin's counsel T Jagadeesh sought the production of documents such as the appointment letter of Madhavan, the minutes of the BCCI annual general body meeting and the resolution adopted on Madhavan's appointment.

Jagadeesh wanted to know the reasons for a month-long delay by the BCCI in serving the appointment letter to Madhavan. He said Madhavan's appointment as BCCI commissioner was made on August 29, 2000, but the letter of appointment was sent to the appointee only on September 29, 2000.

Madhavan's counsel, Additional Advocate General Ramesh Ranganathan, however, contended that there was no need for producing the letter of appointment. He said the BCCI had appointed the vigilance commissioner in pursuit of the decision taken by the board as per the amended rules. He cited several cases (which were reported in the All India Reporter) wherein the BCCI did not produce such documents in the petitions filed in different states.

The arguments on the main suit filed by Azharuddin challenging the life ban imposed on him as well as interim applications questioning the appointment of Madhavan, seeking suspension of the life ban and pleading for considerations of his candidature for selection for Hyderabad, South Zone and India -- will now be heard on April 20.

Besides the BCCI, its president A C Muthiah and Madhavan are the respondents in the main suit.