In a setback to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), its official website — www.bcci.tv — was offline for about two days from Saturday following non-renewal of the domain.

The domain, which has since been restored, is owned by Lalit Modi, who had reportedly not paid for the renewal.

It had validity from February 2006 to February 2018, and was required to be renewed on February 3.

The internet domain became the subject of a legal dispute in 2014, when the BCCI filed a plea in the Bombay High Court, seeking that the ownership be transferred to itself. The BCCI and Modi severed ties in 2010 after the latter was suspended and banned for life from cricket.

Mehmood Abdi, General Counsel for Modi, said in a statement: “Lalit Modi reinvented BCCI in many ways. Digitalisation was one such sphere. While the then mindset of BCCI functionaries was archaic vis-a-vis the latest IPR avenues like domain names etc, Lalit Modi himself took the initiative and got a host of domain names registered by him. Bcci.tv is one such domain name.”

Abdi further said: “Despite having been treated so unjustly by the BCCI, Lalit Modi still keeps the domains alive and functional for the good of cricket and its administration. The domain was on auto renewal. There was some payment gateway issue which has been resolved and the website is operational. BCCI should have been proactive to get this domain renewed well in time so as to avoid the glitch. Many domain names relating to cricket are owned by Lalit Modi and some of them are subjudice. Lalit Modi takes care of their updation and upkeep.”

Lalit Modi's son Ruchir in a press release had said: “The link BCCI.tv is a url that was purchased by Lalit Modi prior to 2010. It’s a link that he’s maintained and had for many years ever since then. He has been, out of goodwill, allowing the BCCI to use it till date and will continue to do so.”

Meanwhile, industry sources said the BCCI website may go for a bidding.

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