What happened?
Supreme Court’s direction in the IPL spot-fixing case 2013, last week, brought many surprises to the cricket fans. It asked N. Srinivasan to step aside as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and directed that none associated with India Cements should be part of the BCCI. It allowed Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the two franchises involved in the scandal, to stay in the tournament.
Who will be BCCI’s chief?
The Supreme Court appointed former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar as the interim chief of BCCI to discharge the functions of the Indian Premier League 2014. Other responsibilities of the board will be performed by BCCI vice-president Shivlal Yadav.
What is the IPL spot-fixing scandal all about?
Players Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested on charges of spot-fixing in various matches of the IPL 2013. Representing Rajasthan Royals, they allegedly received upto Rs 60 lakh for one over for giving away runs as per arrangements with bookies. 14 bookies were also arrested.
In a separate case, Vindu Dara Singh and Gurunath Meiyappan were arrested for alleged betting and having links with bookies. Meiyappan was later released on bail by a Mumbai court in June.
Rajastan Royals team co-owner Raj Kundra was restricted from leaving the country.
Meiyappan was the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Team Principal and N. Srinivasan's son-in-law. Srinivasan is also the Managing Director of India Cements that owns CSK.
What is the controversy involving N. Srinivasan and Gurunath Meiyappan?
Srinivasan, misusing his power as the president of BCCI, allegedly manipulated the BCCI probe committee to give Meiyappan a clean chit.
Further, CSK disowned him immediately after the arrest.
The Justice Mukul Mudgal committee, appointed by the Supreme Court, submitted its report on February 10, charging Meiyappan for betting.
Srinivasan had stepped aside in June 2013 after Meiyappan's name cropped up in the fixing scandal. But was re-elected as president in a BCCI’s meeting.
A defiant Srinivasan continued to hold on to office, even when there were demands from media and public for his resignation.
Why is Dhoni in news?
Indian cricket team captain M.S. Dhoni, who has been the CSK team skipper, was dragged into the scandal during the hearing on the Mudgal committee’s submission.
It was claimed that Dhoni had lied about Meiyappan, terming him as a mere cricket enthusiast. Dhoni has offered to quit as CSK team captain.
How is Srinivasan’s prospect of becoming the ICC chairman?
N. Srinivasan had been nominated as the International Cricket Council’s chairman, which will be approved in the ICC’s conference in June.
Srinivasan can expect an obstacle to becoming the ICC chief, if any of the Full Members of ICC raise an objection citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
