India cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were on Saturday, 20 April, fined Rs 20 lakh each by the BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain for their sexist comments on a popular TV show ‘Koffee With Karan’.
In the order, published on the official BCCI website, Jain wrote that no further action will be taken against Pandya and Rahul, who have already served a provisional suspension and tendered an unconditional apology for their ‘loose comments on women’.
Instead, he directed the World Cup-bound players to pay a fine of Rs 20 lakh each, that included a payment of Rs 1 lakh each to "each of the most deserving widows of ten constables in para-military forces who have lost their lives while on duty, through 'Bharat Ke Veer App."
Jain also instructed them to deposit Rs 10 lakh each in the fund "created by the Cricket Association for the blind." All payments are to be made within four weeks from the date of the order – 19 April 2019.
The Supreme Court-appointed Ombudsman had issued notices to Pandya and Rahul earlier this month to appear for deposition for their controversial comments on Koffee with Karan.
Pandya and Rahul were provisionally suspended by the Committee of Administrators (COA) for their remarks before the suspension was lifted pending an inquiry by the Ombudsman.
Both players became subjects of nationwide criticism following their remarks on women.
The controversial episode was aired in the first week of January, triggering outrage, which prompted the COA to call the duo back from the tour of Australia, handing them provisional suspensions.
The two tendered unconditional apologies and their ban was provisionally lifted pending inquiry. Once Jain assumed his role, the COA handed over the matter to Ombudsman for the completion of inquiry.
The two players have also spoken publicly on the incident, recalling one of the toughest phases of their respective careers.
All-rounder Pandya is expected to play an important role for India in the World Cup while the in-form Rahul is in the squad as a reserve opener though he has also played in the middle-order.
Pandya has represented India in 11 Tests, 45 ODIs and 38 T20 Internationals while Rahul has played 34 Tests, 14 ODIs and 27 T20 Internationals.
In the order, Jain also wrote why Indian cricketers need to be mindful of their conduct.
“The cricketers wield immense influence in the society, especially the youth, who look upon them as role models...These impressionable young adults try to emulate not only their style of play but also their conduct and demeanour. Therefore, they cannot be unmindful of the impact of their casual and off the cuff remarks.”Committee of Administrators
"During the course of the personal hearing on 9-4-2019, the CEO (Rahul Johri) stated on behalf of the COA that the committee feels that the recall of the player from the tours of Australia and New Zealand; the loss of match fee and sitting out for five games was sufficient penalty for acts of misdemeanour, if any, of the player.” the panel concluded saying.
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