Complaint filed against Virat Kohli for breaching BCCI's conflict of interest norms

The ‘conflict on interest’ issue has grappled with many Indian cricketers in recent times. Former India middle-order stalwarts– Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman– all have been served up conflict of interest notices in the past couple of years.

A conflict of interest normally refers to a situation where an individual’s personal interests clash with his professional interest, and the individual’s loyalties are also questioned because of his multiple duties. The recent entrant in the ‘conflict of interest’ issue is none other than current India skipper Virat Kohli.

A complaint has been sent to BCCI’s Ethics Officer Justice DK Jain alleging Kohli has breached board’s conflict of interest norms, as reported by Inside Sport. The complaints against Kohli has been made by same Sanjeev Gupta, who had filed conflict of interest complaints against Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

According to the complaint ‘Kohli holds two posts, one as the player and captain of the Indian team and other as a Director of Sports marketing company which contracts fellow Indian cricketers’. The complainant further alleged and pleaded that this is ‘blatant violation to BCCI Rule 38(4) approved by Supreme Court Of India.

Complainant has also submitted proofs to BCCI Ethics Officer

Complainant Sanjeev Gupta has also stated that Kohli is the director in Virat Kohli Sports LLP and Cornerstone Ventures Partners LLP. And, his fellow directors in these two companies are also the directors of Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited, which manages the Indian skipper and handles commercial interests of other cricketers too.

Furthermore, the complainant has also submitted proofs to the BCCI Ethics Officer to justify his allegations. Kohli, like all India internationals, is currently spending his time at home amid the absence of cricketing scenario.

The Indian skipper was last seen in action during India’s tour of New Zealand. After flagging off the tour with T20I series victory, India suffered thumping defeats in the subsequent ODI and Test series. Kohli was also set to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore in the thirteenth edition of the IPL. However, the cash-rich league was indefinitely postponed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.