Bipin Dani
The Indian cricket board which had imposed life-ban on three players for their alleged spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL have exonerated S. Sreesanth first and then Ankit Chavan after seven years.
But the trio’s case is “still pending” in the Delhi High Court, according to Neeraj Kumar, the ex-police commissioner.
Neeraj Kumar, who later became the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit head had investigated the case as Police Commissioner.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, “we had strong audio and video evidence against these three (the third being Ajit Chandila). Whatever they discussed on telephone (with the bookies) they acted in the same fashion during the matches”.
“Their case is still pending in the Delhi Court but because of the current pandemic it has not come for the hearing”. Now, both High Courts in Kerala (Sreesanth) and Mumbai (Ankit Chavan) have reduced their punishment, the case in Delhi court is unlikely to be heard.
“These players don’t seek relief from Delhi court but approach other states and on a sympathetic ground get relief. They are challenging the ban but not the criminal charges”, he added.
The BCCI’s letter, dt. 15th June, signed by the acting CEO Hemang Amin, which was sent to Ankit Chavan reads : “As per the directions of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, your representation for modification of the BCCI order, imposing a life ban on you was placed before the Ld. Ombudsman of BCCI.
The Ld. Ombudsman, has restricted the ban imposed on you from life ban to 7 years, wef 13 September 2013. In view of the order dated 3 May 2021, the ban imposed on you therefore ended on 13 September 2020.
“Obviously I am relieved with the letter. I want to play the game and wait for the pandemic to be over. Will start practising the game”, Chavan, when approached said.
