Date:26/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/26/stories/2008022659831100.htm

National

SLP against Yuvraj dismissed

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed at the admission stage itself a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Percept Talent Management Company against the Bombay High Court judgment permitting cricketer Yuvraj Singh to terminate the contract after the term of agreement was over.

A Bench of Justices H.K. Sema and Markandey Katju rejected the company’s contention that even after the expiry of the agreement, it could enforce the right of ‘first option’ on Yuvraj.

The cricketer had to inform it about the best offer received by any other company before entering into an agreement so that it could match that offer.

Mr. Justice Katju told senior counsel Abhishek Singvi: “How can you violate the fundamental right [of Yuvraj] granted under Article 19 (1) (g). It is a freedom of occupation. You [petitioner] had contract for three years. After that, he is a free man and you have no right to ask about other offer.”

The petitioner’s grievance was that at the expiry of the agreement Yuvraj entered into a contract with another company.