Overview:
The judgment emphasized that no proof of favoritism, bias, or preferential treatment tied to the academy’s ownership was presented.
The complaint against MS Dhoni alleging a conflict of interest has been dismissed by BCCI Ethics Officer, Justice Arun Mishra (retd). The case questioned Dhoni’s dual role as a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player and his involvement with cricket academies managed by M/s Aarka Sports and Management Private Limited. The ruling determined that Dhoni’s participation in the IPL does not constitute a conflict of interest under current BCCI regulations.
The complaint, lodged in February 2024, claimed that Dhoni breached Rule 38(4) (a) and Rule 38(4) (p) by simultaneously being an active IPL player and an academy owner. It also alleged that he failed to disclose relevant interests under Rule 38 (2) and Rule 38 (5), following the 2018 amendments to the BCCI’s conflict-of-interest guidelines.
Justice Mishra’s verdict highlighted that the cricket academy agreement was signed in 2017, prior to the enforcement of BCCI’s conflict-of-interest rules in September 2018. This was a crucial factor in evaluating the allegations. The Ethics Officer also noted there was no evidence showing Dhoni exercised control or made decisions for the academy while playing in the IPL.
Furthermore, the judgment emphasized that no proof of favoritism, bias, or preferential treatment tied to the academy’s ownership was presented.
“The complainant cannot effectively represent the interests of another party in this adjudicatory forum. Moreover, the complainant appears to have a personal grievance, as the respondent had caused him a loss,” the order stated.
“Consequently, Shri MS Dhoni may be considered the owner of the cricket academies run by M/s Aarka Sports and Management Private Limited. However, the agreement was signed in 2017, before the conflict-of-interest regulations came into effect in September 2018. Based on the facts, no conflict of interest can be established for the period when Shri MS Dhoni served as India’s captain/player,” the order added.
“Additionally, the complaint appears to stem from a commercial dispute between the complainant and the respondent, as well as between the complainant and M/s Aarka Sports and Management Private Limited, whose interests the complainant is representing. The complaint is also belated concerning the period of 2020. No conflict of interest has been established,” the order stated.