SC on IPL scam — Meiyappan, Kundra guilty of betting

New Delhi January 22, 2015 Agency : Misconduct is not only punishable against team officials but also the franchises: SC on making CSK, RR accountableSC objects to BCCI calling Justice Mudgal panel findings in IPL betting scam as "preliminary". SC says BCCI cannot "trivialise" a high power committee formed by the SC using its "superior powers"Findings of the Justice Mudgal panel that Meiyappan indulged in betting is restricted to the current SC proceedings and will not affect his criminal trial.BCCI conducts a public function and so amenable under the jurisdiction of the High Court. It exclusively regulates and controls cricket in india. It sets standards, norms, chooses players, umpires. Players' dreams are made and go up in smoke with decisions of the BCCI, observes SCSC holds as unsustainable and impermissible amendment in BCCI rule permitting cricket administrator to have commercial interest in IPLMeiyappan proved to be team official and not just cricket enthusiast. Kundra, a part owner; their guilt reflects on the respective franchises — CSK and Rajasthan RoyalsSC finds that there is only a suspicion of cover-up by N. Srinivasan. Suspicion is not proof to hold him guilty, it saysSC holds that anyone who holds commercial interests in IPL shall be disqualified from contesting in BCCI elections, which will be held in six weeksBCCI did not adhere to prescribed procedures while conducting probe in IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal: SC.A three member committee of ex-CJI R.M. Lodha and retired SC judges Ashok Bhan and R.V. Raveendran will decide quantum of punishment for Kundra, Meiyappan, CSK and Rajasthan RoyalsSC sets up 3-member panel headed by to decide quantum of punishment against Meiyappan and Kundra.SC frames seven questions on which it has passed its verdict.Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra and Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's role in betting stands proved: SC.SC says conflict of interest in Cricket leads to great confusion.Amendment in BCCI rules allowing Srinivasan



to own IPL team, is bad: SC.Srinivasan must choose between BCCI chief post and Chennai Super Kings, says Supreme CourtNo clean chit to Srinivasan on issue of conflict of interest, says SCAmendment to rule 6.2.4 incorporated by the Board in February 2008, which enabled BCCI officials to own IPL teams, struck downCharges of cover-up against N. Srinivasan not proved, says SCSupreme Court says N. Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan involved in bettingMeiyappan and Rajasthan Royals’ Raj Kundra are team officials, says SCEarlier story by our correspondentThe Supreme Court is pronouncing its verdict on the fate of BCCI president-in-exile N. Srinivasan as top cricket administrator and whether he acted in conflict of interest by donning the caps of both BCCI chief and IPL team owner.A Bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and Fakir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla would also decide the legal validity of an amendment to rule 6.2.4 incorporated by the Board in February 2008, which enabled BCCI officials to own IPL teams.Reserving the case for final orders in December after marathon hearings, the Bench had orally observed that “heavens will not fall” if cricket administrators did not own IPL teams.The verdict would also deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s repeated contention that the Supreme Court could not “interfere” with the internal matter of a registered society such as the BCCI in the name of public policy.Uncertainty on the future of Mr. Srinivasan due to the litigation had led to the postponement of the annual general body meeting and BCCI elections scheduled for November 20 to January- end.Justice Thakur, while hearing final arguments, had said there was a “basic difference” between the “professional interest” of those like former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in the IPL and the “commercial interest” of those who paid Rs. 500 crore to have their teams play in the IPL. “How are they affected by the win or loss of a team in an IPL match,” Justice Thakur observed.