The Board of Control for Cricket in India is now preoccupied with cleaning the Augean stables and, in the process, has come across several irregularities. On the basis of these findings, the latest decision, a rather harsh one at that is winding-up orders issued to two of the franchises. The Rajasthan Royals, the first edition winners, and Kings XI Punjab have been removed from the League.

The owners of these two teams, and they are far too many of them, have not taken kindly to their removal. They, however, ought to have known that they did not have well-defined contracts amongst them and with the BCCI that could be verified under the law. Modi did not think it fit to file these papers.

When Modi was served a show-cause notice and charges were framed against him, a lot of irregularities came to light, An investigation by the government agencies like Income-Tax Dept. and Enforcement Directorate showed several foreign-exchange violations and large-scale evasion of service tax with regard to these two franchises.

Some front companies with headquarters in such places like Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, Mauritius and Nigeria were shown as stake-holders in these two franchises. These faceless holders or "benami" companies were actually owned by Lalit Modi himself. When the BCCI received the reports from the ministries, it had no option but to send letters to Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab franchises, asking them to send a list of their registered stake holders. The replies were far from satisfactory in matters of ownership. A second chance was given to them, failing which the present action was taken.

Even the two new franchises added this year have been advised to have properly-drawn contracts involving all the stake-holders, including the names of the sweat-equity holders, as a precondition to their inclusion in the League.

It is obvious that the BCCI does not want the franchises to function in violation of the laws of the land. This will also put an end to the gross misuse of any franchises for money laundering activities, which is one of the charges faced by Lalit Modi and some of his colleagues.

A lot of dirty lPL linen has already been washed in public and the BCCI wants a clean image of the event before the fourth edition is held next year. The entire governing council has been revamped and post-match late-night parties have been done away with. The entire focus will be on the game, which will see better and more lucrative contract for players, with the emphasis on younger lot.

But all this will only be possible if all the franchises co-operate in keeping all their deals above board. Meanwhile even the two franchises that are presently barred have a chance to set their houses in order.