IPL fixing: SC asks BCCI to bring errant elements to book

The Supreme Court today pulled up the BCCI for its "lackadaisical" approach in dealing with irregularities and spot-fixing in IPL and directed it to bring errant elements to book and restore glory of the gentleman's game.
A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Dipak Misra, which refused to ban IPL, however, directed the Board to take immediate step to clean up the shorter form of the game, which has been mired in the spot-fixing scandal.
It also warned the Board that cricket lovers might not take such irregularities in "quietus" and directed it to punish the errants players and teams involved in various irregularities.

"The problem is lackadaisical approach of the BCCI and it must stop," the bench said in a tough tone when senior advocate Ranjit Kumar opposed a PIL seeking ban on IPL matches.
"We are not talking about individual players but about irregularities. What measures are you taking? You must take all steps to stop the irregularities," it said adding that judges also watch cricket.
BCCI admitted that there have been irregularities and it has set up one-member committee to look into the issue. It said the Board is taking steps to prevent such incidents in future.

The bench then directed the committee to submit its report within 15 days and asked the Board to bring the errant teams and players to book on the basis of the report.

"Let the gentleman's game remains a gentleman's game and not be tainted by irregularities and scams," the bench said adding, "The game of cricket is played in many countries for the last 125 years so the BCCI must take action to maintain the game."
"We direct that committee submit its report in 15 days and specifically point out irregularities in the matches and individual errant behaviour. The board should take immediate action against the team and the players as per rules," the bench said.