Kochi Tuskers Kerala Wins Against BCCI
The verdict brings an end to the long-standing dispute between the BCCI and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise, with the board being ordered to pay a significant amount in damages. The case sets a precedent for future disputes between the BCCI and IPL franchises, emphasizing the importance of contractual agreements and fair play.
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay INR 538 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited and Rendezvous Sports World, the owners of the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala IPL franchise. The court upheld an arbitration order in favour of the franchise, stating that BCCI wrongfully terminated the franchise agreement in 2011.
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala was part of the IPL in the 2011 season, but its franchise agreement was terminated by the BCCI in September 2011. The arbitration award was given in favour of the Kochi franchise on June 12, 2015. The BCCI had challenged the arbitration award, but the court rejected the plea, stating that it cannot sit in appeal over the arbitrator's findings.
The court directed BCCI to pay INR 38.55 million to Kochi Cricket Private Limited and INR 15.384 million to Rendezvous Sports World. The BCCI has been given six weeks to file an appeal against the decision in the Supreme Court. This verdict is a significant development in the long-standing dispute between the BCCI and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise.
The BCCI's decision to terminate the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise in 2011 has been deemed a repudiatory breach of the agreement, and the board has been ordered to pay a significant amount in damages. This case highlights the importance of adhering to contractual agreements and the consequences of wrongful termination.