Pawar to decide on Dalmiya

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has authorised its president, Sharad Pawar, to take a decision on former chief Jagmohan Dalmiya who has been accused of siphoning off funds from 1996 World Cup.

"More information on the earlier lines was placed before the working committee by the treasurer," Pawar said after the working committee meeting in Mumbai. "The matter was discussed and it was decided to leave the matter to the discretion of the president."

Dalmiya has been accused of misappropriating 2.174million rupees (US$49,000 approx) from PILCOM, the organising committee of the 1996 World Cup. The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai police interrogated Dalmiya and former treasurers Jyoti Bajpai and Kishore Rungta over six days in Mumbai and Kolkata, following a Bombay High Court order.

The High Court order came while staying the arrest of Dalmiya by the Mumbai Police who were acting on an FIR filed by the board at the Marine Drive police station here last month.

Asked about reports of fresh charges against Dalmiya, Pawar said: "The matter is subjudice, so I cannot comment on that." Pawar added that pending the board's action, Dalmiya can attend BCCI meetings as president of Cricket Association of Bengal.