IPL Scam: BCCI Group to Mull Over Lodha Panel Order; Ankeet Chavan's Future in Dark

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Working Group, constituted to implement the Justice RM Lodha panel order on banning Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years, will start its deliberations on Monday in New Delhi. The group, headed by IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, is also expected to meet IPL team owners to find a solution to the crisis that started with the 2013 betting and fixing scandal. (Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals' Fate in BCCI's Hands: RM Lodha)

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association has decided not to appeal the life ban on Ankeet Chavan, one of the three Rajasthan Royals players who was charged with fixing matches in return for money. Although Chavan has been acquitted by a Delhi court, the MCA will not challenge the BCCI order taken on disciplinary grounds. (Sreesanth Discharged in Indian Premier League 2013 Spot-Fixing Case)

"Ankeet Chavan, who has been cleared of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) charges, requested us in an email to convince BCCI to lift the ban on him. But the BCCI has already sent an email to MCA clearing the factual position on this issue," Ashish Shelar, the MCA vice-president, told reporters after the MCA managing committee meeting on Sunday. (IPL Spot-Fixing, Top-10 Developments)

"The MCA has therefore decided that it would not challenge BCCI's action against Ankeet which was taken by the disciplinary committee as per the anti-corruption code. So, we have rejected his request. We unanimously decided that the action against such a player should continue because the court ruling is only on MCOCA. The player has not challenged the BCCI's ruling, so how can we?," Shelar said. (BCCI Officials to Sign No Conflict of Interest Undertaking)

The implementation of the Lodha panel order and address issues of conflict of interest are high on BCCI's priority. The Lodha panel order is binding on BCCI and the Working Group has to find the best solution to execute the two-year ban and protect interest of players as well. The group has about a month to do this. (IPL Scam: 'BCCI Scared of Banning Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals)

The biggest fallout of the spot-fixing scam was the conflict of interest issue, that even attracted the Supreme Court's attention. Former Board president N. Srinivasan, who had a major stake in the Chennai Super Kings through India Cements was asked to "step aside" by the apex court after his son-in-law and high-ranking CSK official Gurunath Meiyappan was found guilty of placing bets on his own team. Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were subsequently banned from any cricket related activities by the Lodha panel. (IPL Not Dragging its Feet on Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals Suspension)

But the conflict of interest does not stop with Srinivasan. There are several high-profile cricketers who could be in a spot. Chief selector Roger Binny's son (Stuart) is a key member in the Indian limited overs side while Anil Kumble, the chairman of BCCI's technical committee, is a mentor with Mumbai Indians. Team India director Ravi Shastri has a commentary contract with the BCCI and he is also a member of the IPL governing council.

The conflict of interest issue is also affecting Sachin Tendulkar, a member of BCCI's cricket advisory committee. Tendulkar is part of Mumbai Indians. VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly also have similar issues. Laxman is part of Sunrisers Hyderabad while Ganguly has several commentary commitments to fulfil.

What started with the sensational arrests of three cricketers on May 16, 2013, has left the BCCI confronting bigger issues. The Lodha panel has also been entrusted by the Supreme Court to suggest changes in the BCCI constitution.