Bombay High Court orders BCCI to pay ₹538 crore: Kochi Tuskers legal victory

The Bombay High Court has decisively upheld a ₹538 crore arbitral award favoring Kochi Tuskers Kerala, rejecting BCCI's challenge under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act. This ruling closes a decade-long legal battle stemming from the 2011 franchise termination, marking a significant financial and legal setback for BCCI.

Sources:
The HinduESPNcricinfoTimes of India+2
Updated 35m ago
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Sources: The HinduESPNcricinfoTimes of India+2
The Bombay High Court has delivered a significant legal blow to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by upholding arbitral awards that direct the payment of ₹538 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) and Rendezvous Sports World (RSW). This ruling relates to the termination of the Kochi IPL franchise in 2011, which was owned by KCPL and RSW and played only one IPL season.

The dispute began when BCCI terminated the Kochi Tuskers franchise in September 2011, citing the franchise's failure to provide a 10% bank guarantee amid internal ownership disputes. Following this, KCPL and RSW initiated arbitration proceedings in 2012, culminating in a 2015 tribunal ruling in their favor.

"The Arbitration award was given in favour of the Kochi franchise on June 12, 2015," and the tribunal awarded ₹384 crore to KCPL for loss of profits and ₹153 crore to RSW for wrongful encashment of the bank guarantee, including interest and legal costs.

Justice RI Chagla of the Bombay High Court emphasized the limited jurisdiction of the court under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act, stating that it cannot act as an appellate authority over the arbitrator's findings. The court noted, “BCCI’s dissatisfaction as to the findings rendered in respect of the evidence and/or the merits cannot be a ground to assail the award.”

This ruling marks a major victory for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, a now-defunct IPL team, and underscores the binding nature of arbitration awards in disputes involving sports franchises and governing bodies.

The Kochi franchise had finished eighth among ten teams in its sole IPL season in 2011, but the legal battle has continued for over a decade, culminating in this decisive court order.
Sources: The HinduCricbuzzLivemint
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay ₹538 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited and Rendezvous Sports World, upholding arbitral awards related to the termination of the Kochi IPL franchise in 2011, marking a significant legal victory for the Kochi Tuskers.
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Key Facts
  • The BCCI terminated the Kochi IPL franchise in September 2011 citing failure to provide a 10% bank guarantee amid internal ownership disputes.Times of India
  • KCPL and RSW initiated arbitration proceedings in 2012 following the franchise termination dispute.Times of India
  • The arbitral award in June 2015 granted Rs 384 crore to KCPL and Rs 153 crore to RSW for losses related to the Kochi IPL franchise termination.CricbuzzTimes of India2
  • The BCCI challenged the arbitral award citing lack of jurisdiction under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act.Times of India
  • Justice Riyaz I. Chagla dismissed BCCI's petition, ruling the court's jurisdiction is limited and cannot review the arbitrator's findings.Times of India
  • The Bombay High Court upheld the arbitral award and ordered BCCI to pay INR 538 crore to Kochi Tuskers Kerala.CricbuzzLivemint2
  • The court observed that BCCI's dissatisfaction with the arbitrator's findings cannot be a ground to assail the award.Livemint
In a major setback to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Bombay High Court has upheld arbitral awards, directing BCCI to pay ₹385.50 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) and ₹153.34 crore to Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) in connection with the Kochi IPL (Indian Premier League) franchise.
The Hindu
The Hindu
The BCCI terminated the Kochi IPL franchise in 2011, and the parties have been involved in legal proceedings since then.
ESPNcricinfo
ESPNcricinfo
In 2012, both KCPL and RSW initiated arbitration proceedings, resulting in a 2015 tribunal ruling in their favour. The tribunal awarded Rs 384 crore to KCPL for loss of profits and Rs 153 crore to RSW for wrongful encashment of the bank guarantee, along with interest and legal costs.
Times of India
Times of India
The Bombay High Court has upheld the arbitration in favour of Kochi Tuskers Kerala and has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay the now-defunct franchise INR 538 crore.
Cricbuzz
Livemint2
The Bombay High Court has upheld an arbitral award of over ₹538 crore in favour of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, a defunct IPL team, dismissing BCCI's challenge regarding the franchise's termination.
Livemint
Livemint2
Key Stats at a Glance
Amount ordered to KCPL
₹ 385.50 crore
The Hindu
Amount ordered to RSW
₹ 153.34 crore
The Hindu
Total amount ordered by Bombay High Court
₹ 538 crore
Livemint2
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