Lodha Panel refutes BCCI Secy's 'sexual favours' claim

Lodha Panel accused cricket selectors of taking sexual favours while picking players: BCCI Secy Shirke

There was absolutely no attempt to project the selectors as depraved and despicable: Lodha Panel

The Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Panel denied that it had painted cricket selectors as morally 'depraved and despicable' individuals as has been reported in a section of the media, saying that there was no attempt on its part to do so.

Quoting BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke, reports in a section of the media had said that a member of the Lodha panel had made accusations that cricket selectors took "sexual favours" while picking players.

"It is reiterated that no allegation was made regarding national selectors or state selectors or office bearers. There was absolutely no attempt to project the selectors as 'depraved and despicable'," the panel said in a press release.

"The functions of this Committee being to fulfill the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, it would not like to engage in public debate on issues. The Committee is only attempting to discharge its responsibility in a time bound manner and would not wish to be sidetracked," it added.

Refuting the news report, the panel said it did not make any accusations against any selector or office bearer but had mentioned about various complaints against state associations sent to it from time to time.

"During the meeting of 9th August 2016 in New Delhi, a specific statement was made to Mr. Shirke that the need for the Court to intervene in the BCCI's functioning arose from its continuing inaction when there were several complaints concerning the conduct of State Associations," the release said.

"A question was put to Mr. Shirke as to what action the BCCI took against State Associations when serious allegations were made of corruption, nepotism, and even an allegation of sexual impropriety by a selector of a State Association concerning a junior cricket selection, which appeared in news reports.

"Mr. Shirke vaguely responded by saying that these were societal issues and that allegations are made against various persons and that such allegations cannot be treated as proof of some irregularity. There was no further discussion on this issue," the panel said.