Continuous differentiations between the two-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) have delayed the fate of two suspended Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
Both the Indian cricketers have been suspended for their nasty comments in the Indian talk show “Koffee with Karan” that is hosted by the famous Bollywood producer and director Karan Johar. While they have returned to India to face the inquiry on their comments, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a big problem to set the proper inquiry process on this matter.
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According to CricketNext, the CoA chief Vinod Rai wants to appoint an ad-hoc ombudsman that has been advised by the BCCI’s legal advisors. However, the other CoA member Diana Edulji is opposing it by pointing out the new constitution, where only a permanent appointee can carry on this inquiry process.
Recently, Edulji wrote a mail to Rai that claimed according to CricketNext, “The Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for 17th Jan, let the court be informed about this situation and let an Ombudsman be appointed by the court instead of taking a wrong step of appointing the ad hoc ombudsman, which is not as per the new constitution.”
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However, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, the BCCI’s legal advisors clarified that CoA can appoint an ad hoc ombudsman in the absence of a permanent appointee.
In a reply of Edulji’s recent query, Mangaldas wrote, “The CoA can appoint an ad hoc ombudsman with a defined specific mandate of adjudicating on the present matter and he should be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.”
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Initially, Rai wished to appoint BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to complete the initial inquiry process of these two cricketers. But Edulji was against on it and wanted to conduct it in the presence of CoA as well as the top BCCI officials.
According to CricketNext, Rai replied to Edulji on Monday (14 January), “Please note that since you do not want to follow the suggestion of legal to have an ‘ad hoc ombudsman’, your suggestion runs the risk of your committee being ‘judge, jury and executioner’. Please go ahead and take it forward. I will keep away and leave it to you.”
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On the other hand, PTI reported another Rai’s email where it claimed that Rahul Johri must conduct this process to fulfil his duty.
It said, “BCCI is not in the business of ending young careers. Please be assured that the desire to conduct the inquiry is not a desire to ‘cover up’. The interest of cricket in India has to be kept in mind. The CEO must fulfil his duty as per Rule 41(C) and conduct the inquiry after receiving the explanation of the players. He must ensure that the norms of natural justice are fulfilled.”
