Nauseating that N. Srinivasan continued as BCCI chief: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has asked N. Srinivasan to step down as BCCI president to ensure a fair probe of the Indian Premier League fixing and betting scandal. Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was a team official of Chennai Super Kings, has been indicted by a Supreme Court appointed inquiry committee of betting and sharing team information.
“In our opinion, Srinivasan has to step down for a fair investigation into the allegation of betting,” said Justice A.K. Patnaik in the course of the hearing the Justice Mukul Mudgal report that went into the allegations of betting and spot fixing in the IPL. “It’s nauseating that N. Srinivasan continued as BCCI chief, he should go if cricket has to be cleaned,” the court said. Meanwhile, Srinivasan has refused to comment on the issue, saying he will “study the court observations”. The case will come up for hearing again on March 27.
As senior counsel C.A. Sundaram sought to defend BCCI, Justice Patnaik said: “We will show the papers. You see it and tell us as a counsel about your opinion and not as a paid counsel for Srinivasan.”
At one stage, comparing the two reports – one by an earlier inquiry committee comprising two retired judges of the Madras High Court and the other by Justice Mudgal appointed by the apex court, Justice Patnaik asked: “Can we say that the probe report was managed and if we say so, then what will be the consequences.” The apex court added: “Why is Srinivasan sticking to his chair? If you don’t step down, then we will pass the order.”…