KOLKATA, May 26: Digging in his heels further, beleaguered BCCI President N Srinivasan yet again rejected demands for his resignation and announced the setting up of a three-member commission to go into allegations against his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who has been arrested on charges of betting in IPL matches.
Seeking to ride the storm threatening his continuance as chief of BCCI, he asserted that he has done nothing wrong, there was no revolt against him in BCCI and made it clear that he cannot be “railroaded, pushed and threatened to quit”.
Promising firm and strict action if allegations are proven against his son-in-law who was Chennai Super Kings team principal, Srinivasan told a press conference that the BCCI is very concerned by the allegations that have been made concerning the IPL whether it is betting or spot-fixing.
Citing IPL operational rules that provide for various sanctions ranging from fine to suspensions and termination of the franchise, he referred to media reports on clause 11.3 of the franchise agreement and whether Gurunath, an owner of the franchise, was in violation.
“It is for the Commission to look into this. The BCCI is very concerned over the allegation whether those relate to betting or spot-fixing. As I have said on a number of occasions, the BCCI will act firmly and strictly if the allegations are proven.
“The principles of natural justice are every person has a right to hearing and to be considered innocent until proven guilty,” he said in his opening statement at the press conference.
Earlier in the day, the BCCI suspended Gurunath from all activities of cricket including in CSK. Srinivasan also met BCCI officials, including IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla and Vice President Arun Jaitley before addressing the press conference.
Claiming to set aside his personal feelings as father and father-in-law in “these difficult days”, Srinivasan gave an assurance that he would not shirk from his duties.
“However difficult it may be, the BCCI will act without fear or favour to investigate and if the circumstances warrant, punish any player and match officials, team management or franchise that have breached BCCI or IPL regulations,” he said.
The three-member enquiry commission will consist of two members of the IPL Operations Commitee and a person entirely independent of BCCI in whose appointment he will have no role. The five members of the committee are Arun Jaitley, Rajeev Shukla, Sanjay Jagdale, Ajay Shirke and Ravi Shastri.
“Two of them along with an independent commissioner will go into charges against Meiyappan and we will abide by their report. There will be an independent person and I will await the report as much as you. I will not shirk from my duty,” he said in reply to a volley of questions on what action was being proposed against Gurunath.
The disciplinary procedure under the operational rules shall be initiated and the commission will abjudicate whether Gurunath is in breach of rules that require all persons not to act in any way that would have an adverse affect on the image and the reputation of BCCI or the IPL which otherwise bring the entity into disrepute, Srinivasan said.
He said the same procedure would be applied in the case of management of Rajasthan Royals.(PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel