BCCI acting-President CK Khanna has urged the Committee of Administrators (CoA) to lift the suspensions on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their much-criticised appearance on Koffee With Karan, while also refusing to convene a Special General Meeting on the matter.
Khanna said calling the SGM to appoint an ombudsman to investigate the two players' conduct, as demanded by Board officials, wouldn't be right as the Supreme Court is due to take up the issue next week.
Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry for their comments on the popular TV chat show.
“They made a mistake, and they have already been suspended and called back from the series against Australia. They have also submitted an unconditional apology. I suggest that pending inquiry we reinstate both the cricketers into the Indian squad immediately and allow them to join the team in New Zealand at the earliest.”CK Khanna, Acting BCCI President
Khanna’s comments were made in a letter written by him to the CoA tasked with running the BCCI.
The CoA wants the Supreme Court to appoint an ombudsman to decide the fate of the two players, who have already missed the ODI series against Australia and are set to sit out of the tour of New Zealand as well.
Around 14 state units, mainly former BCCI president N Srinivasan's loalists, had requested Khanna to convene an emergent SGM, which needs to be called in 10 days.
BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry also wrote to Khanna requesting for an early SGM, so that board members can take a call on the appointment of ombudsman.
“As per constitution of the BCCI, an ombudsman can be appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). And moreover the matter (appointment of ombudsman) is already sub-judice,” Khanna replied to Chaudhry.
Khanna also sought BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary's view.
“Why would Khanna or Amitabh sign the notice for convening Special General Meeting when the matter is in Supreme Court. There would be a risk of Contempt of Court,” a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
However, the official agreed that CoA chief Vinod Rai should have vetoed co-member Diana Edulji's demand for provisional suspension and taken a call on quantum of suspension for the two suspended cricketers.
“As per protocol, Mr Rai sought Diana’s suggestion but he could easily overrule her view of getting a legal opinion, which started this mess. He (Rai) could have easily done what he did in the women’s coach selection case.”BCCI Official to PTI
The acting president urged the CoA and BCCI office-bearers to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
“What Mr. Hardik Pandya said and Mr. K.L. Rahul acted as a by-stander to is inappropriate and absolutely wrong, but in my personal opinion, to treat them like lawbreakers is wrong too.”CK Khanna, Acting BCCI President
“Both these cricketers need game time before the World Cup which starts in four months time. We should give these growing cricketers chance to correct themselves morally,” Khanna signed off.
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