New Delhi: The fate of two IPL franchisees Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and of their respective team officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra hang in balance as a Supreme Court-appointed committee, headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha, will today pronounce the quantum of punishment for them.
The committee, in its inquiry had indicted Meiyappan and Kundra for betting during IPL 8 season.
The match fixing and betting scandal even tainted then Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president and owner of CSK franchise Narayanaswami Srinivasan.
Srinivasan had to step down on SC order and was not allowed to contest next BCCI president election.
The apex court had on January 22 held that the allegation of betting against Meiyappan and Kundra stands proved and set up the three-member committee of its retired judges, including Justices Ashok Bhan and R V Raveendran to determine the punishment for Meiyappan, who was the CSK team Principal and Kundra, co-owner of RR.
Sources in the committee said the three former judges, who were asked to complete the task within six months, have also examined the amendments to the memorandum of association and rules and regulations considered necessary to provide a mechanism for resolving conflict of interest.
The apex court bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had said it was appointing an independent committee of judges keeping in view the “the trajectory of the present litigation and the important issues it has raised.”
Further, the bench had said “the profile of the individuals who have been indicted, would, in our opinion, demand that the award of punishment for misconduct is left to an independent committee to exercise that power for and on the behalf of BCCI.
The apex court held that the allegation of betting against Meiyappan, son in law of former BCCI President N Srinivasan, and Kundra stands proved while the charge of cover-up against Srinivasan was “not proved”.
Under IPL rules, the franchise of a team can be cancelled if a team official indulges in any act that brings the game to disrepute.
