IPL spot-fixing: Disqualify CSK, says SC; questions India Cements' stake in team
New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India to disqualify Chennai Super Kings (CSK) without further inquiry. "What is more important? The chair of the franchise. Show exact shareholding pattern of India Cements," SC told BCCI.
The apex court, during its hearing of Justice Mukul Mudgal panel report, also demanded to know the exact shareholding pattern of India Cements in the ownership of Chennai-based IPL team.
The hearing on Justice Mukul Mudgal panel report on Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal was resumed on Thursday.
The apex court also stated that BCCI must put an end to all these controversies. The top court added, "BCCI election can be held but persons named in Mudgal report will not contest and new board will take decision on IPL-6 scam."
The Indian cricket board has submitted that an external commission be set up to hand out punishment to persons found guilty in the Mudgal committee report.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that N. Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan’s role in IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal seemed like “insider trading” and agreed to hear a plea for making public the names of cricketers, who were mentioned in the Justice Mudgal Committee report.
On Monday, the apex court said, “Can’t make a distinction between BCCI and Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL is a by product of BCCI.”
“Some people who are in BCCI now own a team. It has become a mutual benefit society. Ownership of team raises conflict of interest. BCCI chief has to run the show but you have a team which raises questions. Can BCCI president own a team? How far is this fair?”
Read: CSK out on a limb
The apex court also slammed N Srinivasan after he expressed his desire to resume his duties as the chief of Board of Control for Cricket in India, saying, “Please do not go by the report that you (N Srinivasan) are not involved in the betting and spot-fixing and scuttling the probe. Despite all this your official is involved, which will affect you.”
Read: Supreme Court slams Srinivasan on conflict of interest between BCCI and IPL
“Don’t presume anything,” the bench said, adding, “You are contesting the election by saying that you are not involved, but somebody close to you is involved.”
“One of the employees (Gurunath Meiyappan) of your team was involved in betting. You have to reply because it will affect the position and the dignity of the BCCI president’s position. The benefit of doubt should go to the game and not an individual,” the bench said.
