IPL 2013 Scandal: Highlights of Justice RM Lodha Committee's Report

Bengaluru, July 14: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court appointed 3-man committee today (July 14) handed out suspensions to Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals (both 2 years each), Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra (both suspended for life) for their (Meiyappan and Kundra) involvement in betting on IPL 2013 matches.

Chennai, Rajasthan can still play" title="Timeline of the controversy; Chennai, Rajasthan can still play" />Timeline of the controversy; Chennai, Rajasthan can still play

The panel, headed by Justice RM Lodha delivered the verdict in New Delhi, which has shaken the IPL brand. The committee's members were, Justice RM Lodha, Former Chief Justice of India - Chairman; Justice Ashok Bhan, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India and Justice RV Raveendran, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India. ('Tough to imagine IPL without Dhoni')

Here are the highlights from the report by the committee on Tuesday (July 14)

# The Committee shall, before taking a final view on the quantum of punishment to be awarded, issue notice to all those likely to be affected and provide to them a hearing in the matter. The order passed by the Committee shall be final and binding upon BCCI and the parties concerned subject to the right of the aggrieved party seeking redress in appropriate judicial proceedings in accordance with law.

# The three-member Committee constituted in terms of Para (II) above, shall also examine the role of Mr. Sundar Raman with or without further investigation, into his activities, and
if found guilty, impose a suitable punishment upon him on behalf of BCCI.

# Gurunath Meiyappan has been found guilty of (i) betting (Article 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of the Anti Corruption Code) (ii) his conduct having affected the image of the BCCI and the League and also the game and having brought each one of them to disrepute ( Section 2, rule 4 of the Operational Rules) and (iii) of acting against the spirit of game and bringing it to disrepute (Article 2.4.4 of the Code of Conduct).

# As the offences for which he is being punished are found to be distinct and different, Section 6, rule 2.1 of the Operational Rules will not apply. The Committee, accordingly, imposes following sanctions on Mr. Gurunath Meiyappan:

(i) He is declared ineligible from participation in the sport of cricket as explained in the Anti Corruption Code for the maximum period of 5 years under Article 2.2.1.

(ii) He is suspended for life from the activities as explained in Article 7.5 under Level 4 (first offence) of Article 2.4 of the Code of conduct. Page 28 of 57

(iii) He is suspended for life from being involved in any type of cricket matches under Section 6, rule 4.2(b) read with (j) of the Operational Rules.

# The above sanctions shall run concurrently and commence from the date of this order.

# On totality of all relevant factors and after weighing them carefully, the Committee imposes following sanctions on Mr. Raj Kundra:

(i) He is declared ineligible from participation in the sport of cricket as explained in Anti Corrupton Code for the maximum period of 5 years under Article 2.2.1.

(ii) He is suspended for life from activities as explained in Article 7.5 under Level 4 ( first offence ) of Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct.

(iii) He is suspended for life from being involved with the BCCI in any type of cricket matches under Section 6, rule 4.2(b) read with (j) of the Operational Rules

# The above sanctions shall run concurrently and commence from the date of this order.

# Having regard to the findings recorded by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and on taking into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances as noted and discussed above, the Committee proposes to impose sanction on ICL (India Cements Limited) (Franchisee) under Section 6,rule 4.2(c) of the Operational Rules by 13 suspending it from the League for a period of two years. We order accordingly. The period of suspension shall commence from the date of this order.

# On consideration of all relevant aspects of the matter, the Committee imposes sanction on JIPL (Jaipur IPL Cricket Limited) (Franchisee) under Section 6, rule 4.2(c) of the Operational Rules by suspending it from the League for a period of two years. The period of suspension shall commence from the date of this order.

# It is true that Mr. Raj Kundra has relinquished his shares somewhere in the month of March but it is too late. No urgent action was taken by JIPL against Raj Kundra where his acts of betting became known.

# Once it is accepted that cricket is bigger than individuals or body of individuals than financial loss that may be caused to few players or franchisees may not be of significant consideration while taking disciplinary action or for imposition of punishment for wrongdoing. BCCI which is managing the game of cricket in the country has to give an important place to the disciplinary role (this role is being discharged by this Committee in the present matter as mandated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court) so that purity of game remains a central element. We feel that our decision must reflect a kind of institutionally firm view for upholding the paramountcy of the game.

# Being 40 years of age, he is not young but middle-aged. It is difficult to accept that he has passion for the game. Any person who has true passion for the game would not be involved in the betting. Rather any sport loving person would act in conformity with the fundamental sporting imperatives. Nonadherence to these imperatives has shaken the very essence of cricket.

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