IPL Betting Scandal 2013 Highlights: Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals Pay For Meiyappan, Kundra's Misdemeanours
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been suspended for two years by the Justice Lodha Panel. Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra were both suspended from all cricket matches for life because of their involvement with betting. Catch all the highlights here.
Two-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals have been suspended for a period of two years by Justice Lodha, who said the decision will uphold the paramountcy of the game . Follow highlights here. (All Times in IST)
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1.44 PM: Well, there is still no clarification on what happens to the six players who were mentioned in the sealed envelope submitted to the Supreme Court. But Justice Lodha has indicated that no one is bigger than the game. Financial interests of players and teams were not important.
1.43 PM: We feel that our decision will uphold the paramountcy of the game. This is an institutional view, says Justice Lodha
1.41 PM IST: If cricket is bigger, financial loss to players or franchises is not important, says Justice Lodha
1.37 PM: It's for BCCI to take a call whether CSK or RR will be bought by another franchise, clarifies Justice Lodha
1.36 PM: We have acted on behalf of BCCI. The law will take its own course. No criminal liability has been decided by us, clarifies Justice Lodha
1.35 PM: We have examined all the material against Meiyappan in the Mudgal report. Investigations against Meiyappan are still on. Regarding conflict of interest and reforms in BCCI, we are yet to take a decision. We are talking to people, says Justice Lodha
1.33 PM: Now the judges will take questions from the media.
1.30 PM IST: Suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals comes with immediate effect. The press conference is over as the three judges sign the papers
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1.28 PM IST: Purity of game must remain central to cricket, says Justice Lodha. Panel recommends suspension of Rajasthan for a period of two years
1.26 PM: Three RR players were arrested for charges of fixing in 2013. Also a player was approached this year. This shows all is not well in RR
1.24 PM: On similar lines and on Raj Kundra's offences, the panel will punish Rajasthan Royals too. Justice Lodha says Rajasthan Royals were directly responsible to put the game into disrepute. Kundra'a action unacceptable
1.23 PM IST: Committee proposes that CSK be suspended for two years
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1.22 PM IST: The purity of the game has been affected by the actions of India Cements and CSK. Fans have been cheated, says the ex-CJI
1.20 PM IST: Justice Lodha cites operation rules to impose sanctions against CSK. CSK or India Cements took no action against Meiyappan.
1.18 PM IST: Justice Lodha indicates that Meiyappan's action will lead to sanction on CSK. He indicates that Meiyappan's action had the support of India Cements. Meiyappan was the face of CSK and he was the face of the team
1.18 PM: Now the focus shifts to India Cements, the owners of Chennai Super Kings. Ex-BCCI president N. Srinivasan is the managing director of India Cements.
1.16 PM: Kundra is declared ineligible in cricket participation for five years and suspended for life in any type of cricket matches
1.15 PM: Kundra didn't have true love for the game. He acted contrary to the spirit of the game.
1.14 PM: Kundra placed bets through a known punter and he introduced him to a bookie. He brought disrepute to BCCI and IPL. He was constantly in touch with bookies and never reported his action to BCCI.
1.12 PM: The team officials have caused great harm to the game of cricket, says ex Chief Justice of India
1.10 PM: Now the focus shifts on Raj Kundra. His acts and action were not in accordance of the law of the country, says Justice Lodha. Acts of betting by Kundra is against the spirit of the game, says Justice Lodha
1.05 PM: Justice Lodha mentions that Meiyappan suffered Rs 60 lakh loss in bets. He mentions that Meiyappan's passion for the game is questionable and he put the game into disrepute as a team official
1.02 PM IST: First up is decision on Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of N. Srinivasan. Meiyappan has been indicted for betting by Mudgal panel. He has also been established as the face of CSK.
12.59 PM: It's time to remember Aditya Verma, the secretary of Cricket Association of Bihar, who had the guts to challenge corruption in IPL in court.
12.55 PM: This conference is quite historic as far as sports and law is concerned. This is the first time a verdict will be delivered in front of media cameras. Something like the Oscar Pistorious hearing in South Africa. No doubt the media is excited.
12.53 PM: The big question is what happens to the six capped players reportedly mentioned in the sealed envelope submitted by the Justice Mudgal panel. There have been murmurs of suspicion against three top Chennai Super Kings players. Even former IPL boss Lalit Modi has suggested in a letter to ICC that matches were fixed and players were involved. The ICC has put a temporary cap on this Modi letter. It's like a dormant volcano. (ICC Will Reopen Case Against Players if There's Fresh Proof)
12.49 PM: The panel is doubling up as BCCI's disciplinary committee. There have been deliberations and court hearings for over two years now. It's time to decide
12.48 PM: The RM Lodha panel will meet the press at India habitat Centre at 1 PM. It's a packed house and the media is waiting with bated breath.
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Preview:
All eyes will be on Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of ex-BCCI chief and CSK owner N. Srinivasan, and Raj Kundra, the husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. Kundra owned stakes in Rajasthan Royals. (Top 10 developments)
The Lodha committee was appointed by a Supreme Court Bench on January 22. Its verdict will be final and binding on the BCCI, the promoters and owners of the cash-rich and popular IPL. However, the aggrieved party can seek legal redress. The panel can suspend or fine the teams but can't ban them. (Delhi Police Arrests Rajasthan Royals Players)
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An outright ban on the two former champions would be a devastating blow to what is only an eight-team tournament, and observers say former chief justice Rajendra Mal Lodha, who heads the three-man panel, is more likely to announce heavy fines. (BCCI Bans Mumbai Player for Corrupt Approach)
The outcome could have major financial consequences for some of cricket's biggest names as CSK are captained by India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while Australia's star batsman Steve Smith is at the helm of the Rajasthan Royals. The Royals are coached by Indian great Rahul Dravid.
The 2013 IPL season was mired in controversy after police launched legal proceedings against several officials and cricketers, including former Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.