The Madras High Court Bench here on Wednesday ordered notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to the Centre to take control of the management of the BCCI and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The PIL petition filed by V. Santhakumaresan, a Madurai-based advocate, also sought a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities, including the spot-fixing, in the IPL tournament.
The entire affairs relating to the source of income, financial status, betting, match-fixing, spot-fixing and hawala transactions by the franchisees should be investigated, the petitioner pleaded.
“The Indian cricket team should not be represented by a private registered society, which makes profit only to fill in the pockets of a few individuals. The BCCI has made illegal gains by promoting its private team as the Indian cricket team”, contended W. Peter Ramesh Kumar, the petitioner’s counsel, before a Division Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and R. Mala here on Wednesday.
The Centre cannot remain a silent spectator to the irregularities and illegalities of the BCCI, he said. “More than 25 players in the IPL are involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing. Therefore, the IPL sponsored cricket matches to be held from May 21 to May 26 should be stayed”, he argued. The counsel said the BCCI should desist from using the name “Indian cricket team” for its team till the disposal of the petition.
The judges ordered notice to the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, chairman of the IPL, president of the BCCI, Director of the CBI and the franchisee of Rajasthan Royals, and adjourned the case to June 10.