N Srinivasan, BCCI President, must step down for fair probe in IPL fixing case: Supreme Court

By Agencies | 25 Mar, 2014

The apex court said that the probe panel report in a sealed envelope contains very very serious allegations and unless BCCI President steps down.

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NEW DELHI: In a significant observation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that for a fair investigation into the allegations of betting in the IPL, BCCI president N Srinivasan has to step down.

The apex court said that the probe panel report in a sealed envelope contains very very serious allegations and unless BCCI President steps down, no fair probe can be conducted.

Adjourning the case to March 27, the Supreme Court said, "Why is Srinivasan sticking to his chair? If you don't step down, then we will pass the order."

"In our opinion, Srinivasan has to step down for a fair investigation into the allegation of betting," said Justice A.K. Patnaik in the course of the hearing on the report of Justice Mudgal that went into the allegations of betting and spot fixing in the IPL.

As senior counsel C.A. Sundaram sought to defend the action by the BCCI, Justice Patnaik said: "We will show the papers. You see it and tell us as a counsel about your opinion and not as a paid counsel for Srinivasan."

At one stage, comparing the two reports - one by an earlier enquiry committee comprising two retired judges of the Madras High Court and the other by Justice Mudgal appointed by the apex court, Justice Patnaik asked: "Can we say that the probe report was managed and if we say so, then what will be the consequences."