Date:21/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/21/stories/2004092102560600.htm

Back No clarity yet in cricket telecast controversy

Our Bureau

Mumbai , Sept. 20

CRICKET Australia has threatened to pull out of the four-test series against India slated to begin on October 6 as broadcast rights are still not in place, Mr K.K. Venugopal, Counsel for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told the Bombay High Court on Monday.

Commencing his arguments on the point of maintainability of the petition, he saidthat BCCI was not an instrument of the State; a public interest litigation cannot be a remedy in the case of a contractual liability and no fundamental rights can be infringed.

Later, Mr Venugopal told newspersons that he would leave out the issue of maintainability of the writ petition due to lack of time when he continues arguments on Tuesday.

Continuing his arguments today, Mr Harish Salve, appearing for Zee Telefilms, once again raised the point that Zee Telefilms was an Indian channel and was seeking to enter the sports arena.

"If there are unnecessary conditions to bid, how do Indian channels made a break into new areas?''

However, Mr Chief Justice D.C. Bhandari told Mr Salve that he could not use this line of argument.

Later, Mr U.N. Banerjee, also appearing for BCCI, told newspersons that Cricket Australia was likely to face litigation from its principal sponsor, Travelex. This is primarily because International Cricket Council may not recognise the India-Australia series if the telecast does not take place.