Published: Jan 18, 2016, 12:03 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 18, 2016, 09:12 AM (IST)
Justice AP Shah, who is the appointed ombudsman by the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) has asked Harbhajan Singh to respond to his query over alleged allegation of conflict of interest. Harbhajan, India’s premier off-spinner has links to a certain sports apparel company which sponsors various state cricket teams in the country. Justice Shah on January 16 was responding to a complaint from Niraj Gunde, Mumbai-based activist towards Harbhajan, who wants him to reply over the allegation by January 30. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at MCG
According to an e-mail accessed by ESPNcricinfo, Gunde had written to BCCI stating,”It is widely reported that Mr. Harbhajan Singh had started a company by name of Bhajji sports, which is a sports apparel company.” The same e-mail was said to have also been sent to BCCI president Shashank Manohar and Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI manager, game development. “Further, news reports have indicated that this Bhajji sports is sponsoring upto 6 Ranji Teams (Member Associations of the BCCI),” Gunde added. READ:BCCI’s ombudsman requests for action against Sourav Ganguly’s conflict of interest
In his e-mail Gunde, mentions that Harbhajan has specifically violated the sub-clauses C and D dealing with conflict of interest in the document prepared by the BCCI. These documents states various guidelines that would help administrators, match officials, players and board staff avoid involvement in conflict of interest.
The documents includes the various points :
1.Current Cricketers shall declare the name and details of his/her Player Agent or the Player Management Company.
2.Current Cricketers shall not have any business interest in a Player Management Company.
3. Current Cricketers shall not have any conflict arising with the BCCI sponsors including the apparel sponsor.
4.Current Cricketers shall not accept any Controlling position in any Commercial Organization having a contract with the BCCI or its State Unit.
“It is very clear from the above context, Mr. Harbhajan Singh is conflicted in C & D of the code,” Gunde concluded. Earlier, Punjab cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh’s properties were to go under the scanner as their names get involved in the Pearls Group scam. The company has been recently accused of a Ponzi scheme, following which Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) planned to make a list of celebrities from both the silver screen and sports having connection to the group.
