Indian Supreme Court Refuses To Direct BCCI To E-Auction IPL Rights

The Indian Supreme Court on Monday "refused to direct the BCCI to conduct e-auctioning for awarding media rights relating to the Indian Premier League" matches, according to the PTI. Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chadrachud did not consider the plea of Bharatiya Janata Party Leader Subramanian Swamy that the "ongoing tendering process for awarding media rights for the IPL events be stayed and e-auctioning directed." IPL matches are scheduled to start in April. Senior advocate Parag Tripathi, appearing for the Committee of Administrators, said that the ongoing tender process was a "better option as all the bidders put their best bid in a sealed envelope to get the media rights." Swamy, however, said that he "wanted to file an interim application highlighting alleged collusion and conflict of interest on behalf of a BCCI functionary who also runs a news channel." This plea was allowed by the top court (PTI, 8/28).