In a setback to Abhijit Kale, Additional Sessions judge B N Deshpande upheld the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to suspend the Maharashtra batsman for allegedly offering bribes to two national selectors for a place in the Indian team to Australia.
In view of the order, the lower court's order, which had stayed Kale's suspension, has been set aside and Kale will not be able to play domestic cricket.
Kale had challenged the BCCI's decision to suspend him from first class cricket in the wake of bribery allegations levelled against him by selectors Kiran More and Pranob Roy. He contended that the BCCI's suspension was "illegal, arbitrary' and bad in law" as he was not given a hearing.
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The cricketer also pleaded that he be allowed to play Ranji Trophy matches because he was selected on merit by the Maharashtra Cricket Association.
In view of the application, the lower court restrained the BCCI on November 28 from barring Kale from playing matches without holding an inquiry into the allegation against him. The court had also directed the BCCI not to implement the suspension order against the cricketer thereby allowing him to play cricket matches, including the Ranji Trophy.
This order of the lower court was challenged by the BCCI in the court of the Additional Sessions judge, Pune, saying the lower court had not interpreted the Board's rules properly and there was nothing illegal in Kale's suspension.
