SC proposes 3-member panel to probe into IPL spot-fixing scandal

Favouring a committee wherein members “know cricket well,” a bench of Justices A K Patnaik and J S Khehar suggested former Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal head the panel. Other two members proposed by the court are Additional Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao a former cricketer,and Assam Cricket Association member Niloy Dutta.

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The bench pointed out that the suggested persons were conversant with the game and were “persons of integrity.”

“Both of you (BCCI and Cricket Association of Bihar) seek instructions on these members. You may not be knowing about them off hand,so think and tell us what do you think.

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We will take up this matter tomorrow and you can convey your views. If you think any of these members is in some manner associated with any group,you can tell us,” the bench told the counsel.

The bench also indicated some positive orders enabling N Srinivasan’s return as the BCCI president,provided both the parties concur on the court-suggested panel. The bench downplayed CAB’s opposition to allow Srinivasan take charge of the office till the IPL probe was pending.

“BCCI needs to function too. Cricket also has to go on. If he (Srinivasan) is not involved (in the probe) in any manner,we are satisfied. This committee will be by us. We have to only see that the probe is independent. BCCI will not be involved,” it remarked.

Non-interfering

During the proceeding,the court also made it clear that the probe report as well as the remedial measures suggested by the panel will not impact the ongoing criminal investigation by the Mumbai police into the scandal.

It clarified that the scope of the proceedings before the apex court shall remain confined to the new probe panel and it will not “shut out” the police from looking into criminal aspects of the matter.

“Why should we keep them (police) out? That will not be. Let the panel take an independent road and give their own findings and the suggestions that are remedial in nature,” it said while posting the case for further hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier,the Bihar association had expressed its opposition to Arun Jaitley as a member of the probe committee. Jaitley is a former vice-president of the BCCI. The counsel for CAB said that the panel must have retired Supreme Court or high court judges to ensure its independence and fairness.

Last week,BCCI had proposed the names of Jaitley and Dutta as part of a panel to probe afresh the corruption charges against team owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

After CAB disagreed,the bench asked it both the parties would be agreeable to the names the court may suggest. On getting a positive response,the bench proposed the three names and asked them to come back with their responses.

The bench is seized of petitions by the BCCI and CAB,which have moved the court following the Bombay High Court’s July 30 order,declaring as “illegal and unconstitutional” a BCCI-appointed probe panel to look into irregularities in IPL 2013.

Subsequently,the court had allowed the BCCI to go ahead with its poll but prohibited Srinivasan from assuming the office if he was re-elected as the president. Later,at the AGM in Chennai Sunday,Srinivasan go re-elected and won a year’s extension.