Published: Nov 24, 2014, 05:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 24, 2014, 05:45 PM (IST)
The Supreme Court of India came down hard on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as it conducted a hearing into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 spot-fixing case based on the Justice Mudgal probe report. The apex court has made some scathing remarks, putting the controversial BCCI boss in-exile, N Srinivasan under pressure. Nishad Pai Vaidya examines some of the observations by the court.
“If you allow these things to happen, then you are killing the game of cricket,” said the Supreme Court as it came down very hard on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It was perhaps the most hard-hitting statement of the day by the apex court as it conducted a hearing into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 spot-fixing and betting scandal. Despite the BCCI’s attempts to get it’s controversial boss in exile back on board, the Supreme Court was unfazed and went on to say that N Srinivasan cannot assume that he has been given a clean chit.
Last week, when a few part of the Mudgal report were made public, assumptions were rife that Srinivasan was given a clean chit as it established that he had nothing to do with fixing related activites. However, the Mudgal panel did point out that Srinivasan did not take action against a certain ‘Individual 3’ despite being aware of his wrongdoings. With that coming to the fore, it was clear that Srinivasan had a tough time in store with the Supreme Court getting ready for a full-fledged hearing.
With the latest observations of the court, Srinivasan finds himself increasingly cornered. Not only has it told him that it hasn’t been given a clean chit, but it has also said that he has come before the apex court as a the head of the BCCI, and a team owner. The court was particularly severe with regards to the issue of the alleged conflict of interest when it said, “You will have to address question of conflict of interest as head of BCCI and also as owner of IPL team, whose official is found to be involed.”
Srinivasan and the Chennai Super Kings have maintained all the while that his son-in-law was not a part of the franchise. Infamously branded as an “enthusiast,” they stayed clear of him. However, with each passing day, they find themselves in a spot. The Mudgal committee has established that Gurunath Meiyappan was a franchise official. Now, Srinivasan has to answer not only that but also has the tough task of proving that there is no conflict of interest despite him owning an IPL while holding office in the BCCI.
The Supreme Court is also on its way to push the BCCI towards a clean-up. The board has been told to take action against the guilty. Also, it has said that the benefit of the doubt cannot be given to an individual alone. And, even as Srinivasan pushed for a return into the BCCI fold, the Court asked the board, “How will you take action against former president when he is standing again for next term?” Nothing went right for Srinivasan on Monday and things do not look promising for him as the hearing has been adjourned till Tuesday afternoon. There can be more drama in store when the Supreme Court meets again on Tuesday.
Complete coverage of Supreme Court’s hearing
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
