Rajasthan Royals move High Court against franchise termination

Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging BCCI's decision of terminating its franchise agreement. BCCI had terminated the agreement with the inaugural champions on 10th October, saying it had changed the shareholding pattern without informing either the Board or the IPL Governing Council. "We have tried to meet with the BCCI to understand the basis for the termination, which was received without notice. We do not understand what we have done wrong, and it is therefore our duty to the fans of the IPL, our employees, our players and our partners to pursue the matter. "The matter is expected to be listed this Wednesday. We would not like to state anything further since the matter is sub-judice," an RR spokesperson said in a statement.
The BCCI had terminated the agreements of two franchises - Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab - for alleged irregularities in their ownership pattern. The winners of inaugural IPL, Rajasthan Royals team is seen as close to the suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, whose brother-in-law Suresh Chellaram has stake in the team. Chellaram is facing government investigations for violations of foreign exchange rules, while the Enforcement Directorate has issued a 'Blue Alert' against Modi, who is now facing the prospect of his passport being revoked.