Blue Star
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Premier League chief charged with abduction, assualt and doing hash
New Delhi: The high profile commissioner of the Indian Premier League, Lalit Modi, was convicted of possessing drugs, kidnapping and assault in the US during his days as a university student. The conviction came after Modi confessed to committing the offences before a North Carolina court.
In his defence, Modi’s lawyers say he did not serve the two-year jail sentence as he was let off on probation, and the Durham County Court did not give a final decision on his sentencing for drugs possession.
The Supreme Court has been hearing a petition challenging Modi’s position as a cricket official since 2005. But the case has acquired urgency lately after the petitioner asked for a quick resolution, either way.
Despite repeated attempts to contact him for a response through calls and SMSes, and despite explaining the story to him on SMS, Modi, though polite, indicated he would not comment.
Documents available with HT show Modi had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, abduction and assault in the state of North Carolina in 1985.
These documents are included in the petition being heard by the Supreme Court, challenging Modi’s election as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association on the grounds that its rules do not permit anyone convicted of a criminal offence to hold the post of an office-bearer. The petitioner is Kishore Rungta, who was defeated by Modi in the elections.
If the court upholds the petitioner’s plea, Modi’s position as vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India may also become untenable.
In 1985, General Court of Justice, Durham County, had charged Modi with kidnapping, assault and possession of 400 grams of cocaine, court documents show. He then entered a ‘plea bargain’, which is permitted under the US law and allows a reduced punishment without a trial if the accused confesses to his or her crimes.
“Since the case was reported in the press, in order to avoid further publicity, embarrassment, protracted litigation in a foreign country, heavy costs and consequent intervention with his academic career, he entered into plea bargaining,” Modi’s lawyers wrote in a submission to the Supreme Court.
The Durham County Court accepted Modi's plea bargaining application and found him guilty of kidnapping and assault. The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment and fined him $10,000.
On Modi's request, the court placed him on a five-year probation, asking him to undergo 100 hours of community service. The decision on sentencing for possession of drugs was deferred for five years on the condition that a $50,000 cash bond was deposited with the court. This is a normal practice in North Carolina for first-time offenders.
Modi moved the court again in 1986 -- after graduating from Duke University -- seeking permission to move to India on health grounds. The court ordered: "As a fact the defendant has been hospitalised. His doctors indicate that a return to his home in India would facilitate his recovery… The said probation be modified to unsupervised probation. As a condition, the defendant is to perform 200 hours of community service by 1990. He may return to his home…"
Modi's lawyers say the US court did not pass any final judgment on the drugs charge in the next five years and the cash bond was also discharged. North Carolina rules allow first-time offenders in drugs cases to be given the benefit of deferred sentences.The issue of Modi's conviction has been haunting him regularly. A public interest litigation in the Mumbai High Court in 2007 challenged his election as BCCI vice-president on the same ground. (See accompanying box)
Though the court refused to unseat Modi, it asked the BCCI "to implement stringent regulatory measures so that those involved in criminal cases, not just illegal drugs but other serious charges have no place in administration". There are no indications so far that the BCCI paid any heed to the Bombay High Court's suggestions.
© Copyright 2008 HT Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Aamir apologises for his 'Shahrukh' blog entry
Aamir apologises for his 'Shahrukh' blog entry
By indiaabroad
Tuesday May 20 9:55 PM
Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Putting an end to the blog controversy, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan Tuesday apologised for his blog entry where he said he had a dog named 'Shahrukh', inviting criticism from King Khan's fans and shocking people in the Hindi film industry.
Aamir told newsmen at the residence of yesteryears' Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor: 'I just wrote it out of humour and if it has hurt the feelings of mine or Shahrukh's fans then I apologise to all.'
The actor also said that he shares a healthy relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.
The actor had reportedly proclaimed that he has a dog by the name of 'Shahrukh'. The unflattering comment had sent shock waves through the film industry.
Commenting on the episode, Shah Rukh had said: 'Earlier, people used to name their children after famous people. Somebody naming a dog after a known person is a new beginning in that direction. I don't have a copyright over this name if used non-commercially.'
By indiaabroad
Tuesday May 20 9:55 PM
Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Putting an end to the blog controversy, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan Tuesday apologised for his blog entry where he said he had a dog named 'Shahrukh', inviting criticism from King Khan's fans and shocking people in the Hindi film industry.
Aamir told newsmen at the residence of yesteryears' Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor: 'I just wrote it out of humour and if it has hurt the feelings of mine or Shahrukh's fans then I apologise to all.'
The actor also said that he shares a healthy relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.
The actor had reportedly proclaimed that he has a dog by the name of 'Shahrukh'. The unflattering comment had sent shock waves through the film industry.
Commenting on the episode, Shah Rukh had said: 'Earlier, people used to name their children after famous people. Somebody naming a dog after a known person is a new beginning in that direction. I don't have a copyright over this name if used non-commercially.'
All is not well between SRK and Ganguly
All is not well between SRK and Ganguly
21 May 2008, 0017 hrs IST,TNN
MUMBAI: Has the peace in the Kolkata Knight Riders' camp been shattered? Are 'Dada' Sourav Ganguly and 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan not getting along with each other anymore? Yes, say insiders.
The two power centres in the Kolkata team are not seeing eye to eye on many issues. The problem apparently started with the entertainment tax that Shah Rukh Khan is paying for the matches being played at the Eden Gardens.
The Bollywood star wanted Ganguly to speak to West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and try and get it abolished. The Kolkata captain, who is known to be close to the CM, has refused to oblige, at least till now.
Interestingly, it is learnt that Eden Gardens is the only stadium where an IPL team is paying entertainment tax. That is not all though. The bigger bone of contention is KKR's sudden dip in form and its poor performance in the last few games, harming their semifinal chances. Shah Rukh, sources say, is not too happy with this change of fortunes although he hasn't expressed his feelings openly. Ganguly, on the other hand, has not been too pleased with the team composition right from the beginning. The differences surfaced during the auction itself, with Sourav wanting more batsmen while the team management was more keen on bowlers.
The problems magnified when coach John Buchanan was given more powers than the captain himself. To add fuel to the fire, Shah Rukh announced that the coach will take all the decisions for the team next year onwards, upsetting Ganguly in the bargain.
Ganguly has apparently already begun showing his discontent: he preferred to go back home after the last match rather than stay back for a press conference to annouce Knight Riders' tie-up with a website. Said an insider, who was present at the event, "Shah Rukh did pass some caustic remarks saying, 'I thank all my teammates for being at the press conference but who can forget Dada who is missing from the event'."
The duo also had a spat when Khan was keen that his team fielded first in the last game against Chennai; Ganguly, however, preferred to bat first. Eventually, the Knight Riders lost by 3 runs on Duckworth-Lewis following a rain interruption.
21 May 2008, 0017 hrs IST,TNN
MUMBAI: Has the peace in the Kolkata Knight Riders' camp been shattered? Are 'Dada' Sourav Ganguly and 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan not getting along with each other anymore? Yes, say insiders.
The two power centres in the Kolkata team are not seeing eye to eye on many issues. The problem apparently started with the entertainment tax that Shah Rukh Khan is paying for the matches being played at the Eden Gardens.
The Bollywood star wanted Ganguly to speak to West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and try and get it abolished. The Kolkata captain, who is known to be close to the CM, has refused to oblige, at least till now.
Interestingly, it is learnt that Eden Gardens is the only stadium where an IPL team is paying entertainment tax. That is not all though. The bigger bone of contention is KKR's sudden dip in form and its poor performance in the last few games, harming their semifinal chances. Shah Rukh, sources say, is not too happy with this change of fortunes although he hasn't expressed his feelings openly. Ganguly, on the other hand, has not been too pleased with the team composition right from the beginning. The differences surfaced during the auction itself, with Sourav wanting more batsmen while the team management was more keen on bowlers.
The problems magnified when coach John Buchanan was given more powers than the captain himself. To add fuel to the fire, Shah Rukh announced that the coach will take all the decisions for the team next year onwards, upsetting Ganguly in the bargain.
Ganguly has apparently already begun showing his discontent: he preferred to go back home after the last match rather than stay back for a press conference to annouce Knight Riders' tie-up with a website. Said an insider, who was present at the event, "Shah Rukh did pass some caustic remarks saying, 'I thank all my teammates for being at the press conference but who can forget Dada who is missing from the event'."
The duo also had a spat when Khan was keen that his team fielded first in the last game against Chennai; Ganguly, however, preferred to bat first. Eventually, the Knight Riders lost by 3 runs on Duckworth-Lewis following a rain interruption.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Shah Rukh Khan stopped by ICC at Kolkatta match
The International Cricket Council on Monday expressed surprise at film star Shah Rukh Khan's [Images] statement that its anti-corruption unit had asked him not to be with the team on the playing field, saying the IPL tournament is being played under the Board of Control for Cricket in India's rules and regulations.
The ICC [Images] said the IPL is a domestic tournament and the game's governing body does not have any role in formulating the rules.
"The reported incident has nothing to do with the ICC as IPL is a domestic tournament which is being held under the Rules and Regulations of the BCCI," an ICC spokesman said from Dubai.
*
IPL salary cap should stay, says Ponting
"Furthermore, the ICC Board in its meeting held in Dubai on 17-18 March had decided that IPL will introduce a code of conduct, an anti-corruption code and an anti-doping code that complies with ICC regulations," he said.
Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan had on Sunday night claimed he had been barred by the ICC anti-corruption unit from going to the team dug out and dressing room for the remaining IPL matches.
"I like to hang around with the boys. I am very energetic. I am very disappointed that the ICC has stopped me," he said.
"I don't know the ICC rules. I'll tell only one thing: Nobody dare stop me from coming to Kolkata. I'll be here whenever my team plays a match at the Eden," Khan said.
Asked whether Shah Rukh needed an accreditation for the IPL matches, the ICC spokesman said, "Everybody needs an accreditation and these are in line with the anti-corruption code. BCCI is following the anti-corruption code. Now I don't know what modifications they have made to the code."
Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya played down the incident and said Shah Rukh was actually stopped by security personnel for not carrying a visitors' pass.
"Look there is nothing like that. It was a gentleman from the security who stopped Shah Rukh Khan. He said Shah Rukh didn't have a valid visitor's pass... I don't think there is any controversy or issue," he said.
He said the ICC rules are to ensure that bookies don't enter the dressing room.
"When these rules were framed, the concept of franchisee owners' domestic tournament didn't even come, the law was not framed to stop people like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta [Images], Mukesh Ambani or Vijay Mallya [Images] from walking into the dressing room," he said.
"According to even ICC regulations, there is a system of visitor's pass, the manager and team management sign it. The person can be allowed in the dressing room as long as it is signed by them. So there is no way to stop Shah Rukh from entering the dressing room," Bhattacharya added.
The ICC [Images] said the IPL is a domestic tournament and the game's governing body does not have any role in formulating the rules.
"The reported incident has nothing to do with the ICC as IPL is a domestic tournament which is being held under the Rules and Regulations of the BCCI," an ICC spokesman said from Dubai.
*
IPL salary cap should stay, says Ponting
"Furthermore, the ICC Board in its meeting held in Dubai on 17-18 March had decided that IPL will introduce a code of conduct, an anti-corruption code and an anti-doping code that complies with ICC regulations," he said.
Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan had on Sunday night claimed he had been barred by the ICC anti-corruption unit from going to the team dug out and dressing room for the remaining IPL matches.
"I like to hang around with the boys. I am very energetic. I am very disappointed that the ICC has stopped me," he said.
"I don't know the ICC rules. I'll tell only one thing: Nobody dare stop me from coming to Kolkata. I'll be here whenever my team plays a match at the Eden," Khan said.
Asked whether Shah Rukh needed an accreditation for the IPL matches, the ICC spokesman said, "Everybody needs an accreditation and these are in line with the anti-corruption code. BCCI is following the anti-corruption code. Now I don't know what modifications they have made to the code."
Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya played down the incident and said Shah Rukh was actually stopped by security personnel for not carrying a visitors' pass.
"Look there is nothing like that. It was a gentleman from the security who stopped Shah Rukh Khan. He said Shah Rukh didn't have a valid visitor's pass... I don't think there is any controversy or issue," he said.
He said the ICC rules are to ensure that bookies don't enter the dressing room.
"When these rules were framed, the concept of franchisee owners' domestic tournament didn't even come, the law was not framed to stop people like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta [Images], Mukesh Ambani or Vijay Mallya [Images] from walking into the dressing room," he said.
"According to even ICC regulations, there is a system of visitor's pass, the manager and team management sign it. The person can be allowed in the dressing room as long as it is signed by them. So there is no way to stop Shah Rukh from entering the dressing room," Bhattacharya added.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Shoaib’s nonstop soap opera
Showboat Shoaib’s nonstop soap opera
Cricket | R. Mohan
Showboat Shoaib" is Pakistan cricket’s longest running soap opera. Would cricket be the same without him? As cricket’s serial offender, he has reserved a unique place for himself in the annals of the game. At the latest turn in his interesting career, the quicksilver fast bowler is once again at a crossroads.
What comes on the grapevine out of Pakistan is quite tilted in favour of the Rawalpindi Express who they believe has not derailed but merely stopped at another junction. The pro-player sentiment is so heavy in word cricket at the moment that normally anything is forgiven. There is even talk of the Pakistan Cricket Board being bypassed by the new government in Islamabad.
Shoaib does, however, test the quality of mercy in everyone because he has been guilty of so very much and accused of even much more — 1. Chucking, 2. Taking Nandrolone (performance enhancing steroid), 3. Ball tampering, 4. Using abusive language, 5. Sporting an outsized logo on his bat and 6. Hitting a teammate (Md Asif) with a bat.
Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for general indiscipline, that too for five years. In his case, this particular charge sounded so weak that PCB found itself with no friends on its side. So it is on to the legal process by which a retired judge and two others will sit in judgment on the ban.
Since what is popular also drives such judgments in sport-legal cases, it is on the cards that Shoaib will find relief somewhere in the appeal process. It would be most interesting to see if he stages yet another comeback from yet another ban or suspension. However, if the five-year ban sticks, then it is curtains on what has been a remarkable, if somewhat under-achieving career.
The colourful star may have made it hotter for himself this time by exploding at the ban announcement, throwing allegations with the speed of a boxer coming up off the floor in a desperate counter-attack.
He has raised the hackles not only of PCB’s top honcho in accusing him of asking for kickbacks but also brought former captains Inzamam and Moin Khan into the fray by wild talk on so-called approaches to throw matches. That brought the ICC anti corruption sleuths to his door.
It has always been hard to define in his case where facts stop and fiction begins. Any of his captains would say what an exasperating experience they have had in predicting his moods. In fact, the bowler credited with sending down the fastest ball in cricket in the era of speed radar, has also enjoyed the worst record of pulling out at the last minute, leaving his team in disarray at the start of many an international match.
It is remarkable that in a man who has been charged with so many misdemeanours that he sees no wrong in anything that he has done. He is ever the injured innocent set upon by forces driven by jealousy. Captains and coaches have tried to tap his vast bowling talent, with a decreasing rate of success as time has also flown.
He may not be the world’s most consistently successful fast bowler on the scene now. He does, however, make a thrilling spectacle with an extended runup, an hyperactive delivery action and an hyper-extended elbow that never makes it easy for the batsman to pick the ball coming off the hand.
His bean balls are inevitably the nastiest, his villainous scowl and a semi apology making them even more sinister.
Not without reason has the standard joke in Pakistan been "Shoaib Actor" whenever his name crops up. Many former players have stood by him in his latest run-in with the establishment. On this side of the border, Shoaib has found a sympathiser in his team owner, Shah Rukh Khan.
The Bollywood star and the flamboyant fast bowler, who has probably received more film offers than any cricketer in history, have shared such a chemistry that there was no doubt at all that he would land up near Howrah, with the Knight Riders in Kolkata. The question now is will the Pindi Express take off again?
(From Asian Age)
Cricket | R. Mohan
Showboat Shoaib" is Pakistan cricket’s longest running soap opera. Would cricket be the same without him? As cricket’s serial offender, he has reserved a unique place for himself in the annals of the game. At the latest turn in his interesting career, the quicksilver fast bowler is once again at a crossroads.
What comes on the grapevine out of Pakistan is quite tilted in favour of the Rawalpindi Express who they believe has not derailed but merely stopped at another junction. The pro-player sentiment is so heavy in word cricket at the moment that normally anything is forgiven. There is even talk of the Pakistan Cricket Board being bypassed by the new government in Islamabad.
Shoaib does, however, test the quality of mercy in everyone because he has been guilty of so very much and accused of even much more — 1. Chucking, 2. Taking Nandrolone (performance enhancing steroid), 3. Ball tampering, 4. Using abusive language, 5. Sporting an outsized logo on his bat and 6. Hitting a teammate (Md Asif) with a bat.
Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for general indiscipline, that too for five years. In his case, this particular charge sounded so weak that PCB found itself with no friends on its side. So it is on to the legal process by which a retired judge and two others will sit in judgment on the ban.
Since what is popular also drives such judgments in sport-legal cases, it is on the cards that Shoaib will find relief somewhere in the appeal process. It would be most interesting to see if he stages yet another comeback from yet another ban or suspension. However, if the five-year ban sticks, then it is curtains on what has been a remarkable, if somewhat under-achieving career.
The colourful star may have made it hotter for himself this time by exploding at the ban announcement, throwing allegations with the speed of a boxer coming up off the floor in a desperate counter-attack.
He has raised the hackles not only of PCB’s top honcho in accusing him of asking for kickbacks but also brought former captains Inzamam and Moin Khan into the fray by wild talk on so-called approaches to throw matches. That brought the ICC anti corruption sleuths to his door.
It has always been hard to define in his case where facts stop and fiction begins. Any of his captains would say what an exasperating experience they have had in predicting his moods. In fact, the bowler credited with sending down the fastest ball in cricket in the era of speed radar, has also enjoyed the worst record of pulling out at the last minute, leaving his team in disarray at the start of many an international match.
It is remarkable that in a man who has been charged with so many misdemeanours that he sees no wrong in anything that he has done. He is ever the injured innocent set upon by forces driven by jealousy. Captains and coaches have tried to tap his vast bowling talent, with a decreasing rate of success as time has also flown.
He may not be the world’s most consistently successful fast bowler on the scene now. He does, however, make a thrilling spectacle with an extended runup, an hyperactive delivery action and an hyper-extended elbow that never makes it easy for the batsman to pick the ball coming off the hand.
His bean balls are inevitably the nastiest, his villainous scowl and a semi apology making them even more sinister.
Not without reason has the standard joke in Pakistan been "Shoaib Actor" whenever his name crops up. Many former players have stood by him in his latest run-in with the establishment. On this side of the border, Shoaib has found a sympathiser in his team owner, Shah Rukh Khan.
The Bollywood star and the flamboyant fast bowler, who has probably received more film offers than any cricketer in history, have shared such a chemistry that there was no doubt at all that he would land up near Howrah, with the Knight Riders in Kolkata. The question now is will the Pindi Express take off again?
(From Asian Age)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Justine Henin Retires at twentyfive
Justine Henin calls it a day
LIMELETTE: Top-ranked Justine Henin retired from tennis on Wednesday at the age of 25, ending a career in which she won seven Grand Slam titles.
“This is the end of a child’s dream,” Henin said in announcing her immediate departure from a sport she has dominated for the past two years. “This is a definitive decision. Those who know me know it is serious.”
Henin’s surprise decision came less than two weeks before the start of the French Open, a tournament she has won four times, including the last three years.
Form slump
Henin won 10 tournaments last year, but has been in one of the worst slumps of her career this season. She was upset last week in the third round of the German Open and pulled out of this week’s Italian Open citing fatigue.
“I thought long about this,” Henin said at a news conference, her voice cracking and eyes watering. “I started thinking about it late last year. I was at the end of the road. I leave with my head held high.”
Henin’s retirement came a day after Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam — winner of 10 women’s golf majors — announced that she was quitting at the end of the season.
Last year, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters — a former No. 1 player — retired at 23. She has since married and become a mother.
Henin, who has battled through injuries and a divorce, had a standout season in 2007, winning two Grand Slams, eight other tour titles and more than $5 million.
The Belgian had one Australian Open (2004) four French Opens (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) and two U.S. Opens (2003, 2007) amongst her 41 career singles titles.
She also took home a career prize money of $19,461,375.
However, after winning her home tournament in Antwerp in February, she has been on one of the worst skids of her career, failing to go beyond the quarterfinals at any event.
Poor start
Henin’s year began with a 6-4, 6-0 loss to Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, followed by a 6-2, 6-0 drubbing by Serena Williams at the Sony Ericsson Open in April, the worst loss for a top-ranked player in nine years.
At last week’s German Open, Henin lost 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to Dinara Safina. — Agencies
LIMELETTE: Top-ranked Justine Henin retired from tennis on Wednesday at the age of 25, ending a career in which she won seven Grand Slam titles.
“This is the end of a child’s dream,” Henin said in announcing her immediate departure from a sport she has dominated for the past two years. “This is a definitive decision. Those who know me know it is serious.”
Henin’s surprise decision came less than two weeks before the start of the French Open, a tournament she has won four times, including the last three years.
Form slump
Henin won 10 tournaments last year, but has been in one of the worst slumps of her career this season. She was upset last week in the third round of the German Open and pulled out of this week’s Italian Open citing fatigue.
“I thought long about this,” Henin said at a news conference, her voice cracking and eyes watering. “I started thinking about it late last year. I was at the end of the road. I leave with my head held high.”
Henin’s retirement came a day after Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam — winner of 10 women’s golf majors — announced that she was quitting at the end of the season.
Last year, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters — a former No. 1 player — retired at 23. She has since married and become a mother.
Henin, who has battled through injuries and a divorce, had a standout season in 2007, winning two Grand Slams, eight other tour titles and more than $5 million.
The Belgian had one Australian Open (2004) four French Opens (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) and two U.S. Opens (2003, 2007) amongst her 41 career singles titles.
She also took home a career prize money of $19,461,375.
However, after winning her home tournament in Antwerp in February, she has been on one of the worst skids of her career, failing to go beyond the quarterfinals at any event.
Poor start
Henin’s year began with a 6-4, 6-0 loss to Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, followed by a 6-2, 6-0 drubbing by Serena Williams at the Sony Ericsson Open in April, the worst loss for a top-ranked player in nine years.
At last week’s German Open, Henin lost 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to Dinara Safina. — Agencies
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