The Supreme Court on Monday rapped N Srinivasan for not acting against people involved in betting and other anti-cricket activities saying “as head of the Board, by allowing such things to happen, you are killing the game of cricket.”
The court also did not buy Srinivasan’s claim that he has been exonerated by Justice Mudgal committee as far as charges of betting and match-fixing are concerned in the 2013 IPL scam. The court said: "You only assume that the panel has given you the clean chit but what about the conflict of interest in the whole issue?”
In a slew of strongly-worded remarks, the bench headed by Justice TS Thakur said, “Millions of people are passionate about cricket like religion in India, they come to watch the game without any kind of stake. What will happen if they know that the game they are watching is fixed? As head of the cricket body, it was important to ensure that this game is played in a proper manner. By allowing such things to happen, you are killing the game of cricket.
“The one lakh people who come to watch a match at the Eden Gardens do not come with any agenda. They don’t bet or fix matches. They only come to watch a gentleman's game. If they come to know that it is a farse, they will not enter the stadium. The confidence of common people is shattered by some people due to hanky panky done by them.”
The court’s observations came when Srinivasan’s lawyer, former law minister Kapil Sibal sought the court to reinstate Srinivasan in view of the upcoming BCCI elections on the ground that “Justice Mudgal Panel has not indicted him (Srinivasan). It only hinted about the individual 3 (a player).”
To a bench’s query whether BCCI president is allowed to have his own team Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to take part in IPL, the senior lawyer submitted that the IPL is a different institution as IPL is a by-product of BCCI and Srinivasan had no role in it. The rules permit him to have his own team in IPL matches.
However, the bench termed “it is a mutually-benefitted society” and noted “you cannot differentiate yourself from IPL, which was created by BCCI. Do you think, when decision is taken, the president of BCCI remains a mute spectator? You have to see some people have business interest also.”
The bench, also comprising Justice FM Ibrahim Kalifulla, made it clear that it will examine the conflict of interest involved in the issue as Srinivasan owned CSK and its employee Gurunath Meiyappan is Srinivasan’s son-in-law.
“You will have to address question of conflict of interest as head of BCCI and also as owner of IPL team CSK, whose official is found to be involved “ the court said, adding “it is a serious issue and cannot be wished away.”
During the two hour-long hearing, the BCCI lawyer CA Sundaram argued that the board will take the report as “gospel truth” and act as per the law against officials including IPL COO Sunder Raman. However, he defended Srinivasan, saying the judicial panel has found nothing against him on betting and match-fixing charges.
“Don’t go only by report. Whether involvement of team officials affects the status of BCCI...,” the court said while asking the cricket body to apprise it about the next course of action, whether criminal or administrative, in the wake of Justice Mudgal committee report.
“If the findings are correct, what will be the consequences? You have to take the bull by the horns,” the court also said adding that the Doctrine of Public Trust applies on the BCCI head. The president should be above suspicion.”
Sundaram also argued that as far as criminal cases are concerned, Meiyappan and others are facing the case.
SRINI RAP
Below are some of the statements made by the apex court against Srinivasan on Monday
As head of the cricket body it was important to ensure that this game is played in a proper manner. By allowing such things to happen, you are killing the game of cricket
You will have to address question of conflict of interest as head of BCCI and also as owner of a IPL team CSK, whose official is found to be involved... it is a serious issue and cannot be wished away
You cannot differentiate yourself from IPL, which was created by BCCI. Do you think when the decision is taken, the president of BCCI remains as a mute spectator?
You only assume that the (Mudgal) panel has given you the clean chit but what about the conflict of interest in the whole issue?
I'm financing petition against Srini: Modi
Suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi admitted that he was financing petitioner Aditya Verma against N Srinivasan and others in the IPL spot-fixing case. "I am financing the petition against Srinivasan and others. There's no harm in backing anybody who helps me," Modi told a television channel. "BCCI wants to sweep everything under the carpet," he said.
Sachin refuses to comment
Sachin Tendulkar on Monday refused to comment on the findings of Mudgal Committee report which probed into the IPL spot-fixing scandal, saying that it would be improper for him to say anything on the issue as Supreme Court was hearing the case. “Supreme Court is hearing this and I think it would be not be wise to make any comment right now and respect it,” Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, said outside the Parliament.
Guilty will be punished: SM
Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said action will be taken against those guilty in the spot-fixing scandal. “Yes, whosoever is guilty (will be punished),” Sonowal said when asked if the guilty would be taken to task. “I have already said that it is a matter of serious concern for the sports fraternity. (I) would definitely like the report to come out first and then we will go through it,” he added.
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