BCCI state units demand SGM in Hardik Pandya - KL Rahul controversy

01/14/2019

A total of 10 BCCI units have called for a special general meeting to discuss the appointment of an ombudsman to inquire on the Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul 'Koffee with Karan' controversy. Meanwhile, both the suspended cricketers have submitted their unconditional apologies for their comments on women.

After their comments on women during the chat show “Koffee with Karan”, both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended by the BCCI and they were even called back from the ongoing ODI series against Australia. Pandya drew heavy flak in the social media for his misogynistic comments in the show hosted by Bollywood producer Karan Johar. The BCCI issued a fresh show-cause notice and in reply to that both Pandya and Rahul have tendered an unconditional apology.

But 10 BCCI units have demanded a Special General Meeting to discuss appointing an ombudsman for carrying out an inquiry. On the other hand, CoA member Diana Edulji wants CoA and the BCCI office-bearers to inquire the matter.

“Yes, Hardik and Rahul have submitted their reply to the fresh showcause notices that were served to them. They have tendered unconditional apology. The CoA chief has instructed the CEO to conduct an inquiry as per clause 41 (c) of the new BCCI constitution,” said a senior BCCI official, reported PTI.

“We should be in no hurry to conduct the inquiry as it would then look like a cover up job being done,” Edulji had said.

“It will be interesting what call Khanna will take. If I remember, he once didn’t sign the minutes of SGM fearing that it would be in violation of Supreme Court orders. On another occasion, he didn’t even attend an SGM,” a state unit member said.

“There is a possibility that Khanna may instruct Amitabh Chaudhary to call a normal SGM with 21 days’ notice which a secretary is allowed to.”

However, CoA Chairman Vinod Rai has stated that the board should correct the players but not end their careers.

“BCCI is not in the business of ending young careers. Please be assured that the desire to conduct the inquiry is not a desire to ‘cover up’. The interest of cricket in India has to be kept in mind. The off the ground act of the players was deplorable. It was crass as I said immediately after reading the comments,” Rai wrote.

“It is our responsibility to reprimand them, take corrective action, sensitise them of their misdemeanour and then get them back on to the ground once they have suffered the consequences. We have shamed them by recalling them from an ongoing tour. We have suspended them from further games. We need to correct them and not bring their career to a cul de sac by indefinitely delaying a decision. These misdemeanours require swift action, with a corrective approach.”

Rai has asked BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to start a preliminary enquiry as per the constitution of the board but Edulji has a different opinion to that of Rai.

“The CEO must fulfil his duty as per Rule 41(C) and conduct the inquiry after receiving the explanation of the players. He must ensure that the norms of natural justice are fulfilled.

“During the 17th (January) hearing, we request the hon Court to appoint an Ombudsman. However, in the unlikely event of the Hon. Court not being able to appoint the Ombudsman in the hearing scheduled for the 17th Jan, 2019, we must go ahead and appoint an ad-hoc ombudsman as per legal advice received by us. The ombudsman, so appointed, can take a final view on the players based on the inquiry report submitted by the CEO,” wrote Rai.

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BCCI state units demand SGM in Hardik Pandya - KL Rahul controversy

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