Verdict in, Harbhajan Singh not out

Instead, with Harbhajan pleading guilty to a lesser offence 8212; using offensive language in field during the Sydney Test 8212; he was docked 50 of his match fees.

The verdict, apparently, was the result of hectic negotiations between the BCCI and Cricket Australia CA which finally managed to convince its players8217; union on the compromise formula.

As a result, as soon as ICC-appointed New Zealand judge John Hansen initiated the hearing on the case this morning, he was handed a letter signed by Harbhajan and Symonds, seconded by the captains of both teams, which asked for the charges to be dropped so that the 8220;game could go on8221;.

Then came the verdict, in the form of an ICC statement, which said: 8220;Justice Hansen said he was convinced that, on all the evidence submitted before him, the charge of a Level 3.3 offence was not proven but that Harbhajan should be charged with a Level 2.8 offence. Harbhajan pleaded guilty to this charge andiquest; Justice Hansen imposed a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee.8221;

BCCI president Sharad Pawar termed the verdict as 8220;fair8221; and added, 8220;The judge has given a proper judgement. BCCI was consistently taking only one stand that it was practically impossible for us to accept the racist charges against any Indian player. And the honourable judge has accepted BCCI8217;s view and racist charges have been dropped.8221;

However, the verdict is sure to generate some heat in the Australian camp with the AAP news agency reporting within minutes of the verdict that 8220;the all-powerful Indian cricket board has enjoyed one of its biggest off-pitch wins with spinner Harbhajan Singh cleared of racial abuse to ensure India completed its multi-million dollar tour of Australia.8221; Later, joint BCCI-CA statement said both the teams and their captains were 8220;satisfied8221; by the verdict. A relieved Indian Test skipper Anil Kumble said it was finally time 8220;we move on8221;. 8220;I would like to express my thanks to all those who have supported our cause 8212; the Australian cricket team, Cricket Australia 8212; for coming together with us to ensure we move on,8221; said Kumble, adding, 8220;This matter was lingering on for last two weeks although we played cricket. I am happy and relieved not only for Harbhajan but also for cricket8230; It8217;s been a fantastic result and I am sure cricket would be the winner.8221;

Earlier this morning, Harbhajan was represented at the hearing 8212; via video-conference from the BCCI Hqs in Mumbai 8212; by lawyer V R Manohar, father of BCCI president-elect Shashank Manohar. 8220;A racial remark is a very big crime. He Harbhajan has been acquitted from that and now he has been charged for other type of abuse,8221; said Manohar, adding, 8220;Harbhajan admitted that he abused Symonds but he did not call him a 8216;monkey8217; or a 8216;big monkey8217;. 8220;

During the hearing that lasted four hours, oral evidence was called by John Jordan S C, counsel assisting Judge Hansen. The hearing also heard evidence from all witnesses to the controversial exchange between Harbhajan and a number of Australia players including Symonds, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting. The Indian side was represented by Harbhajan, Sachin Tendulkar and assistant manager M V Sridhar.

The Harbhajan controversy had threatened to split world cricket after Australia captain Ricky Ponting complained to the umpires after the third day of the second Test in Sydney that Harbhajan had racially abused Symonds. With India losing that Test due to some atrocious umpiring decisions mainly by Steve Bucknor, and Procter banning Harbhajan based on oral evidence from the Australians, the Indian camp put its foot down, refusing to continue the tour till Harbhajan was cleared of the racist tag. The ICC, however, managed to cool tempers by replacing Bucknor, and India went on to win the next Test in Perth and draw the final one in Adelaide 8212; the series ended 2-1 for Australia.

With ENS from Mumbai