Bihar Cricket Association to oppose Nilay Dutta's name

Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) has decided to oppose the name of Nilay Dutta from the three-member probe panel proposed by the Supreme Court on Monday to look into the allegations of IPL spot-fixing scandal.

CAB’s argument will be that Dutta is not just a member of the Assam Cricket Association but has also been part of the IPL Governing Council.

CAB secretary Aditya Verma told dna that Dutta’s presence in the probe panel could influence the outcome of the findings. He, however, clarified that he welcomed the Apex Court’s decision to constitute a probe panel and would now request the Court to monitor the panel’s functioning.

“We have absolutely no issues with the names of Justice (retired) Mukul Mudgal (former chief justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court) and senior advocate N Nageshwar Rao (Additional Solicitor General). But, the reason we have decided to oppose the name of Nilay Dutta is because he has his personal interests attached with the BCCI,” said Verma.

The Supreme Court has given both parties one day to finalise their views on the names suggested, posting the matter for Tuesday. “Though the BCCI told the Apex Court that Mr Dutta had resigned from the IPL Governing Board a day earlier, one has to understand that he is still a part of the ACA and can’t be trusted for his affiliation with the BCCI-affiliated body,” he added.

Asked if he has some other name in mind, Verma said, “Why can’t we propose someone like Rahul Mehra who has been fighting against corruption in various sports bodies in the country for a long time.”