New Delhi, Dec 07: Buoyed by the partial relief granted by the court to cricketer Ajay Jadeja, his former state-mate Ajay Sharma has also moved court seeking to lift the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI in December 2000 in the wake of match fixing allegations. In his suit, filed in a city court, Sharma has sought to restrain the BCCI from stopping him from participation in cricket matches or other activities being organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Besides wanting to get the boards December 5, 2000 ban order declared illegal, Sharma through his Counsel Manish Sharma and Amit Bhardwaj, also seeks the release of funds amounting to over Rs five lakh that had accrued to him under heads like provident fund contribution and match fee. In its order, the BCCI had debarred for life Sharma from playing any cricket matches conducted by itself/ICC or affiliated associations. He was also debarred from holding any position in ICC/BCCI or affiliated associations.

It also said that he would not be eligible for any benefit matches conducted by the board and the BCCIs contribution to his benevolent fund was forfeited.

Sharma has challenged the order saying it was too harsh as it deprived him of carrying on his occupation of playing cricket. He also claimed that the punishment was imposed upon him without following the principles of natural justice and without been given reasonable opportunity of proving his innocence.

Though did not find evidence of any role of Sharma in fixing matches, the BCCI in its order had alleged that he had close contacts with bookies and had acted as a conduit between players and the betting syndicates in fixing matches.

It also said that Sharma was guilty of unbecoming conduct amounting to misconduct as a national player in as much as he maintained frequent and undesirable contacts with punters.
The board s disciplinary committee opined that he had conducted himself in a manner that was prejudicial to the interests of the game of cricket.

Bureau Report