Mumbai Police to pursue probe into IPL spot fixing

Bombay High Court rules as invalid the findings of BCCI committee that gave clean chit to RR and CSK

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s woes are far from over. On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court ruled as invalid the findings of a two-judge committee that gave a clean chit to Indian Premier League franchises Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, as well as their officials, in the spot fixing controversy.

Tuesday’s court order has prompted the Mumbai police to pursue its investigations in this regard.

BCCI insiders believe the Centre would soon bring the cricket board under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. It might also consider appointing an administrator to resolve the mess in BCCI and bring transparency into its functioning.

BCCI interim president Jagmohan Dalmiya refused to term the judgment a setback, saying, “I can only react after going through the order copy thoroughly.” A senior Mumbai Police official told Business Standard, “The crime branch will further continue its probe into the IPL spot fixing case. All efforts will be made to file a charge sheet in 90 days.” He added Chennai Super Kings chief executive Gurunath Meiyappan and actor Vindoo Dara Singh would be further investigated.

A former BCCI office bearer said covering BCCI under the RTI Act was certain. This is notwithstanding the reservations expressed by some BCCI board members. A section of the Union sports ministry, as well as former sports minister Ajay Maken, was strongly in favour of the application of RTI Act provisions to BCCI.

“First of all, BCCI’s move to conduct an inquiry through a committee comprising two judges was taken in haste. Also, its findings are untenable. The committee had observed Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings and their officials were not guilty of spot fixing in this year’s IPL. The Centre would now get an opportunity to appoint an administrator on India’s richest sports body, BCCI, in a bid to bring in much-needed transparency in its functioning,” said the former BCCI official.