Chennai Super Kings, R’sthan Royals declared out for 2 yrs
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, July 14
A Supreme Court-appointed committee today slapped a two-year ban on Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Rajasthan Royals, citing the involvement of their officials — Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra — in betting during the 2013 IPL season.
Headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, the panel imposed a life ban on Meiyappan and Kundra, debarring them from taking part in any type of cricket matches in any manner. Former SC judges Ashok Bhan and RV Raveendran are the other members of the panel.
Meiyappan is the son-in-law of then Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President N Srinivasan, who now heads the International Cricket Council (ICC) and CSK’s holding company —India Cements Ltd (ICL).
“Millions of people who are true lovers of the game feel cheated” following the betting episode. “Moreover, disrepute has been brought to the game of cricket, the BCCI and the IPL to such an extent that now doubts abound in the public consciousness about whether games are clean or not,” the panel said.
Briefing reporters, Justice Lodha said the role of former IPL Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sunder Raman in betting was still being investigated by an apex court-appointed team. The panel would take a decision on Raman after getting the probe report.
On the need for overhauling cricket administration in the country in the light of betting and match fixing allegations, Justice Lodha said the panel had so far taken the views of more than 40 stakeholders from across the country. The exercise was still on. The panel would come out with a reform roadmap in consultation with all those involved in the game of cricket, he said.
The Lodha committee noted that the holding companies of CSK and RR – ICL and Jaipur IPL Ltd – had failed to take any action against Meiyappan and Kundra for their direct involvement in betting.
The panel rejected the claims of Meiyappan and Kundra that they were associated with CSK and RR due to their love for the game. If it was true, they would have stayed away from such corrupt practices and bringing a bad name to the sport, it said.
Responding to queries, Justice Lodha said other IPL teams were free to take the players of CSK and RR in the auction. Further, judicial remedy was available to all those affected by the panel’s rulings. Senior advocates who had argued the case before the panel indicated that they would approach the SC, challenging the sanctions imposed by the panel. Justice Lodha also clarified that the panel did not have the mandate to go into the criminal liabilities of Meiyappan, Kundra or others involved in betting or match fixing. This would be decided by the judiciary.
What Justice Lodha committee says
- The judiciary will decide criminal liabilities of those involved in the betting
- Former CJI RM Lodha (pic) said the panel would soon come out with a roadmap to cleanse cricket
- Millions who are true lovers of the game now feel cheated
- Disrepute has been brought to the game of cricket, the BCCI and the IPL… doubts abound in the public consciousness whether games are clean or not
