IPL spot-fixing: SC reveals big names; BCCI elections put on hold

Resuming the hearing of the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing case, the Supreme Court on Friday disclosed two names – Gurunath Meiyappan, former team principal of the Chennai Super Kings franchise and also the son-in-law of N Srinivasan and Raj Kundra – the co-owner of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals.

New Delhi: Resuming the hearing of the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing case, the Supreme Court on Friday disclosed seven names that were probed by the Justice Mudgal Committee.

The big names included that of ICC boss N Srinivasan, his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, and Rajasthan Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra. Meiyappan had already been indicted following an incident where a Forensic Science Laboratory in Mumbai confirmed his voice samples in a tapped conversation with another accomplice Vindoo Dara Singh.

Names of three active players were inadvertently mentioned initially. However, the honorable court decided to strike off their names considering the sensitivity of the issue and the possible far reaching implications of this disclosure on their career.

COO of the IPL and CLT20 Sundar Raman too was probed.

The hearing was further adjourned till November 24. All four people were asked to be physically present in the court for the next hearing.

The BCCI elections that were slated for November 20, have now been put on hold.

Earlier on November 10, the Supreme Court had asked for more time to read the report submitted by the Mudgal-led committee that was probing the IPL spot-fixing case.

While the court told both sides it needed more time, the apex court also asked all the parties whether the content of the report should be made public.

Aditya Verma, the petitioner, had called for the report to be made public in the interest of the sport.

BCCI also came up with a request where it said that since elections are coming up and there is a AGM meet on November 20, the court should allow N Srinivasan to participate if he is not found guilty. The court has however refused to give Srinivasan the permission to contest in elections.

In the final report submitted by the Mudgal committee on November 3, N Srinivasan and India captain MS Dhoni were believed to be under the scanner for their conflict of interest and it reportedly named a key member of India’s World Cup-winning team and touched upon his links with illegal bookmakers and match fixers.

The panel headed by former judge Mukul Mudgal that includes former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, had in February presented a sealed envelope to the court containing names of 13 individuals which were to be probed further.

The court revealed that Srinivasan was one of the names on the list and ordered the panel to investigate him and the 12 others.

The panel`s preliminary report had concluded that Meiyappan could be guilty of illegal betting on IPL games.

CSK are owned by India Cements, whose managing director is Srinivasan. The team is captained by MS Dhoni.

The court barred Srinivasan from carrying out his duties as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until it had delivered its final verdict, but did not stop him from heading the International Cricket Council.

The sixth IPL season last year was marred with a major controversy after police launched legal proceedings against several IPL officials and cricketers, including former Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.

The IPL, which began in 2008, features the world`s top players signed up for huge fees by companies and high-profile individuals in a glitzy mix of sport and entertainment.