PIL in HC challenges BCCI probe panel, Srinivasan`s role

Mumbai: The Cricket Association of Bihar has filed a PIL in Bombay High Court against constitution of a a probe panel on IPL spot-fixing by the then Cricket Board chief N Srinivasan, alleging it was an "exercise" to "cover up" the activities of his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan.

It was mentioned yesterday before a bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah who recused himself from hearing the matter. The PIL will now come up before another bench in due course, High Court sources said. Srinivasan had recently stepped aside from his post though temporarily in the wake of allegations against his son-in-law in cricket betting and spot fixing. The petition alleged blatant bias exercised by Srinivasan in the light of mounting allegations against himself and in constituting the probe panel as he is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of India Cements Ltd which owns the IPL team "Chennai Super Kings". The PIL urged the Court to direct Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to recall its order constituting the probe panel and instead set up a panel of retired judges as it may deem fit to hold inquiry against Meiyappan, India Cements Ltd and Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd with regard to their involvement in spot fixing and betting. The PIL further urged that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against Srinivasan and he may be directed to vacate the office of BCCI President and President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The petition also prayed for a direction to restrain Srinivasan from contesting the post of BCCI President in future and representing BCCI in International Cricket Council. The PIL has also prayed for suspension of franchise agreement of India Cements Ltd (Chennai Super Kings) and Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd (Rajasthan Royals). The PIL said recent events had heavily eroded the faith of people in cricket and that it was interested in upholding and maintaining transparency and accountability as well as integrity and faith of the public at large in the game. The PIL urged the Court to ensure a fair, free and independent probe into the recent incidents of betting and spot fixing in cricket which had brought disrepute to the game and undermined the integrity of the Sport of Cricket. PTI