Cricketer S Sreesanth on Tuesday cried foul after the Kerala High Court, upholding the appeal made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), restored the life ban imposed on the fast bowler by the board.
In what could be a shocking blow to Sreesanth, a division bench of the Kerala HC upheld the appeal made by the BCCI against the earlier single bench verdict that lifted the life ban on the bowler in August this year.
The division bench of Chief Justice Navniti Prasad Singh ruled that the court cannot conduct a judicial review of the life ban imposed by the BCCI and hence upheld the appeal.
Reacting to the verdict, Sreesanth said it was the "worst decision ever" and alleged that there was "special rule" for him.
"This is the worst decision ever... special rule for me? What about real culprits? What about Chennai super kings? And what about Rajasthan (Royals)?," Sreesanth tweeted.
"And what about the accused 13 names in Lodha report?? No one wants to know about it? I will keep fighting for my right... God is great," he added.
The Kerala HC heard the appeal petition for the past two days and delivered its verdict, which has now for the time being ended Sreesanth's hopes of not just playing for Kerala Ranji side in its upcoming matches but also to take part in practice sessions at any place that comes under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or any state cricket association.
Now the only option before Sreesanth is to approach the Supreme Court and, according to sources close to the bowler, he is likely to go to appeal against this verdict.
And Sreesanth has vowed to continue his fight.
"Anyway all I have is my family and lots of dear ones who still believe in me... I will keep fighting and make sure I don't give up."
"Thanks a lot for all the support Nd encouragement given so far. I assure u (you) all that I'm not giving up... I will Keep at it. And always believe," he said.
In 2015, the now 34-year-old pacer along with two other players got exonerated by the Delhi court in the case registered by Delhi Police which invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), but the BCCI Disciplinary Committee headed by the present Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley slapped a life ban on Sreesanth.
