The wrangling in the Board of Control for Cricket in India took a serious turn on Tuesday, when the new regime, headed by Sharad Pawar [Images], accused former president Jagmohan Dalmiya of misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 20 crore.

BCCI's Marketing Committee claimed that Dalmiya had bungled funds related to the 1996 World Cup and television rights, a charge vehemently refuted by the veteran administrator.

"There has been pilferage of money. Prima facie there is a case of misappropriation of funds and fraud," BCCI vice-president and marketing committee member Lalit Modi told reporters.

"The money involved is to the tune of Rs 20 crore. PILCOM (1996 World Cup Committee) is just one account, there are other accounts as well," Modi alleged, after an emergent Working Committee meeting of the BCCI in Delhi.

"PILCOM was being operated by its erstwhile secretary Mr. Dalmiya. That has been shut down and the money transferred to CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal, of which Dalmiya is the president). So the members have asked the president to seek an explanation," he said.

"The members have authorised the president to take a decision in this regard. Dalmiya has sought seven days to reply to the charges."

Dalmiya, however, termed the allegations "absolutely baseless" and said he is ready to furnish all details.

"They are making absolutely baseless allegations in the media and if they have any query they should ask me. I am ready to provide all details, but why this public accusation?" Dalmiya asked.