A three-member commission will probe the role of Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan in the spot-fixing and betting scandal that rocked IPL-6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Sunday.
At a press conference here, BCCI president N. Srinivasan said he would not play any role in the appointment of the commission, its deliberation or decision. “If anybody is found in breach [of]… the operational rules, he will be subjected to sanctions as per the provisions in the operational rules.”
The operational rules provide for a number of sanctions, ranging from fine to suspension, and in the extreme case, termination of franchise.
Mr. Srinivasan said that as BCCI president, he would put aside all personal feelings — Mr. Meiyappan is his son-in-law — and he would not shirk his duty, however difficult it might be.
The commission would have two members from the BCCI’s disciplinary committee comprising Arun Jaitley, Rajeev Shukla, Ajay Shirke, Sanjay Jagdale and Ravi Shastri and an independent member.
The management of Rajasthan Royals, whose three players were arrested on May 16 for spot-fixing, would come under the commission’s scrutiny.
Mr. Srinivasan reiterated that he had “done no wrong” and ruled out his resignation. “There is unity in the BCCI [on this count], and I have not been asked by anybody to resign. I refuse to yield to [any] unfair and motivated attack. I intend to continue my duties as the president of the BCCI. The BCCI will act without fear or favour to investigate, and if circumstances warrant, punish any player, match official, team management or franchisee that have breached the BCCI’s or IPL’s regulations,” he said.
The BCCI would continue offering assistance to the law-enforcement agencies.
“There have been a lot of media comments on Clause 11.3 of the franchise agreement, and whether Mr. Gurunath is an owner of a franchisee. It is for the commission to look into this,” he said. “The BCCI is very concerned about the allegations that have been made about the IPL. As I have said on a number of occasions, the BCCI will act swiftly and firmly if the allegations are proved.”
Asked about Mr. Meiyappan’s status with CSK, he said the former was more of an enthusiast who travelled with the team.
