HC issues notice to BCCI after CSK challenges IPL suspension

The Madras high court on Friday issued a notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India on a petition by Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings challenging the order of Justice Lodha Committee suspending it from the IPL over the betting and match-fixing scandal in 2013 involving its top official Gurunath Meiyappan.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam, also allowed Cricket Association of Bihar, on whose plea the Supreme Court had directed probe in IPL-6 betting and spot fixing scandal, to implead in the case.

The court adjourned the hearing to next Thursday.

In its petition, city-based Indian Cements Ltd, owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), also sought a stay on the Lodha committee's order.

It contended that the committee's order was against fundamental principles of natural justice and a fair hearing.

Dhoni-led CSK and Rajasthan Royals were on July 14 suspended for two years from the League following the 2013 betting scam involving their officials Meiyappan and Raj Kundra.

Son-in-law of the then BCCI chief Narayanswami Srinivasan, Meiyappan, a former team principal of CSK, and Kundra, co-owner of Jaipur IPL that runs Rajasthan Royals (RR), were suspended for life from any matches conducted by the BCCI.

The punishments were handed down by a three-member panel headed by former chief justice of India Rajendra Mal Lodha which was asked by the Supreme Court to decide the quantum of punishments after finding them guilty of betting.

India Cements, in its petition, had contended that imposing punishment on the franchise (CSK) without going into the charges or the offence committed was against the principles of natural justice and a fair hearing.

It said refusal of Justice Lodha committee to enter into the dispute of whether India Cements was guilty of violating clause 4.1.1.of IPL operation rules had led to "grave miscarriage of justice".

While referring to the Supreme Court order in January last, the petition said "Gurunath Meiyappan had been (found) guilty of betting but not spot fixing, match fixing or misuse of inside information... Meiyappaan never had shares in India Cements nor was he is in the management of the company."

The judges adjourned the case for further hearing to August 27.