Former India captain & BCCI chief Saurav Ganguly was recently fined along with Bengal govt by the Calcutta HC. Reportedly, the BCCI chief was fined a sum of Rs. 10,000 in a matter related to land allotment. Further the Calcutta HC also imposed a Rs. 50,000 fine on the Calcutta government and the state-run West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO).
Earlier this month, Saurav Ganguly was in the news after a biopic on him was confirmed. According to reports, the biopic would be produced by ‘Luv Films’, headed by producer-director Luv Ranjan.
Details
Saurav Ganguly is a man that has worn many caps in his professional career. From a top-order batsman, he was appointed the team’s captain during the first decade of the 2000s. He was later responsible for inculcating a new aggressive and assertive culture in the team.
After retiring from the field, his off-field work won hearts of many. This included a brief stint as a cricket analyst and commentator. Since 2019, he has been acting as the BCCI chief. Recently, the former Indian captain made news for being fined by the Calcutta High Court.
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The Facts of the Matter
On Tuesday, September 28, former Indian cricket team captain was fined by the Calcutta HC a sum of Rs. 10,000. The Division Bench of the HC quashed the WBHIDC’s (West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation) plot allotment to BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly. Reportedly, the land was allotted to Ganguly for establishing an educational institution.
“Ganguly Dictated Terms of Allotment”
The Calcutta HC division bench comprising of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Banerjee stated that Saurav Ganguly was able to dictate the terms of the allotment process. The bench also observed the conduct of the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation during the allotment of the plot.
“Country Stands by Sportspersons but No One Can Be Exclusive”: Cal HC
It should be noted that the Court did acknowledge the accomplishments of Ganguly, but further stated that the law is equal to all and no one “can claim to be exclusive”. “The country always stands by the sportspersons, especially who represent country in international events. It is also a fact that Sourav Ganguly has brought laurels for the country in cricket. But when it comes to law, our Constitutional Scheme is that all are equal and no one can claim to be exclusive,” the Court stated.
“Ganguly Was Able to Play with the System”
The division bench later went on to give its hard-worded statement which read, “It was not a case where the State was dealing with its property where fair procedure was needed to be followed. Therefore, it showed that bona fides were not examined. Ganguly was able to play with the system.”
The court also observed that the HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation) allotted the plot “as if it was not a state property but a private limited company which was permitted to deal with its property, as per its own wish without following due process of law”.
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No Evidence of Ganguly Applying for Plot
In the hearing, it was observed that there was no evidence that Ganguly applied for the plot. As the former Indian cricket team captain yield enough influence, he had access to the power corridors. Further, it was also noted that such allotments were not limited to the case, and was something much more common.
Finally, the bench quashed the allotment of the plot. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 each on Calcutta govt and the state-owned housing corporation.
