Fate of IPL teams CSK, Rajasthan Royals to be known on Tuesday

The fate of IPL teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will be known on Tuesday when the Supreme Court-appointed high-level Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha will pronounce the quantum of punishment against their franchisees and their team officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra for betting during IPL 8 season.

The apex court on January 22 had held that the allegation of betting against Meiyappan and Kundra stands proved and set up the three-member committee of its retired judges, including Justices Ashok Bhan and R V Raveendran to determine the punishment for Meiyappan, who was the CSK team Principal and Kundra, co-owner of RR.

Sources in the Committee said the three former judges, who were asked to complete the task within six months, have also examined the amendments to the memorandum of association and rules and regulations considered necessary to provide a mechanism for resolving conflict of interest.

The apex court bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had said it was appointing an independent committee of judges keeping in view the “the trajectory of the present litigation, and the important issues it has raised”. Further, the bench had said “the profile of the individuals who have been indicted, would, in our opinion, demand that the award of punishment for misconduct is left to an independent committee to exercise that power for and on the behalf of BCCI.

The apex court held that the allegation of betting against Meiyappan, son in law of former BCCI President N Srinivasan, and Kundra stands proved while the charge of <g data-gr-id="31">cover</g> up against Srinivasan was “not proved”.

Under the IPL rules, the franchise of a team can be cancelled if a team official indulges in any act that brings the game to disrepute. The committee is expected to give its recommendations on reforms of the BCCI later. 

The committee was asked make recommendations on aspects like amendments considered necessary to the memorandum of association of the BCCI and the prevalent rules and regulations for streamlining the conduct of elections to different posts/officers in the BCCI including conditions of eligibility and disqualifications, if any, for candidates wanting to contest those posts including the office of the president of the BCCI.