Kohli under the scanner for alleged Conflict of Interest

A Conflict of Interest complaint has been lodged with BCCI Ethics Offer Justice DK Jain against cricketer Virat Kohli for allegedly holding two conflicting positions at the same time. First, as the captain of the Indian cricket team and second as the director of two business companies, where his co-directors also own the talent management firm that contracts Indian cricketers.

The complaint, dated July 4, has been filed by Sanjeev Gupta, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). Gupta is notoriously known for having filed similar complaints against former Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar.

“I have received a complaint,” Justice Jain confirmed to PTI on Sunday (July 5).

“I will examine it and then see if the case is made out or not. If yes, then I have to afford an opportunity to him (Kohli) to respond.”

The official email sent by Gupta to BCCI explains:

“Shri Virat Kohli is occupying two posts at a time in blatant violation to BCCI Rule 38 (4) approved by Supreme Court Of India. As such, he must relinquish his one post at once in compliance. His two posts are covered as under: A – 38(4)(a) – Player and B – 38(4)(o) – Contractual Entity, to be read with BCCI Rule 38(1) (iii).”

“VIRAT KOHLI SPORTS LLP company have two Directors/Owners namely, Shri Virat Kohli & Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh,” the complaint read. “CORNERSTONE VENTURE PARTNERS LLP company have three Directors/Owners namely, Shri Virat Kohli, Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh & Shri Binoy Bharat Khimji.

“Shri Amit Arun Sajdeh & Shri Binoy Bharat Khimji are also Director/Owners of CORNERSTONE SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT PRIVATE LIMITED,” which, the email further stated, “contracts members of the Indian Team.”