Srinivasan let off the hook by probe panel
ICC chief cleared of corruption charges pertaining to IPL
NEW DELHI:
An investigation into corruption and betting scandals has exonerated International Cricket Council (ICC) chief N Srinivasan, clearing the way for his comeback as head of the sport in India, heard a court on Monday.
Srinivasan, considered the most powerful man in world cricket, was among top officials probed by a Supreme Court-appointed panel looking into scandals last year in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
"This individual was neither involved in match-fixing activities nor in scuttling investigations," said the panel's report.
The panel, headed by former judge Mukul Mudgal, submitted its findings in a sealed envelope to the top court earlier this month but they were only released on Monday.
The report was expected to pave the way for Srinivasan to resume his position as head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was scheduled to hold elections later this month.
The court had barred Srinivasan from carrying out his duties as BCCI president until it delivered its final verdict, although it did not stop him from heading the ICC. He was appointed chairman of the world body in June.
The panel honed in on Srinivasan and three others including his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was the team principal of the Chennai Super Kings franchise.
Meiyappan was cleared of match-fixing but the panel was ‘unanimous’ that he had been involved in betting activities during the glitzy, scandal-tainted T20 tournament.
The panel also found that IPL chief executive Sundar Raman knew a bookmaker's associate and ‘contacted him eight times in one season’, according to its report released on Monday.
"Raman admitted knowing the contact of the bookie, however, [he] claimed to be unaware of his connection with betting activities.”
There was also ‘material on record to indicate’ that Raj Kundra, owner of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise, placed bets.
"The individual was in touch with bookies and he had violated the anti-corruption code," concluded the report.
Aditya Verma of the Cricket Association of Bihar, which had petitioned the court for Srinivasan's removal, maintained despite yesterday's report that he should be sacked and said the affair had tarnished the organisation.
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An investigation into corruption and betting scandals has exonerated International Cricket Council (ICC) chief N Srinivasan, clearing the way for his comeback as head of the sport in India, heard a court on Monday.
Srinivasan, considered the most powerful man in world cricket, was among top officials probed by a Supreme Court-appointed panel looking into scandals last year in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
"This individual was neither involved in match-fixing activities nor in scuttling investigations," said the panel's report.
The panel, headed by former judge Mukul Mudgal, submitted its findings in a sealed envelope to the top court earlier this month but they were only released on Monday.
The report was expected to pave the way for Srinivasan to resume his position as head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was scheduled to hold elections later this month.
The court had barred Srinivasan from carrying out his duties as BCCI president until it delivered its final verdict, although it did not stop him from heading the ICC. He was appointed chairman of the world body in June.
The panel honed in on Srinivasan and three others including his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was the team principal of the Chennai Super Kings franchise.
Meiyappan was cleared of match-fixing but the panel was ‘unanimous’ that he had been involved in betting activities during the glitzy, scandal-tainted T20 tournament.
The panel also found that IPL chief executive Sundar Raman knew a bookmaker's associate and ‘contacted him eight times in one season’, according to its report released on Monday.
"Raman admitted knowing the contact of the bookie, however, [he] claimed to be unaware of his connection with betting activities.”
There was also ‘material on record to indicate’ that Raj Kundra, owner of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise, placed bets.
"The individual was in touch with bookies and he had violated the anti-corruption code," concluded the report.
Aditya Verma of the Cricket Association of Bihar, which had petitioned the court for Srinivasan's removal, maintained despite yesterday's report that he should be sacked and said the affair had tarnished the organisation.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.