The duo has been suspended for their mysogynist comments on a popular TV show.
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul gave their official statements to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri on Tuesday, January 15 beginning the inquiry process following their suspensions after misogynist comments during an episode of popular TV show "Koffee with Karan."
Both the concerned players responded via telephone after having tendered unconditional apologies in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the BCCI, as per a PTI report.
"The CEO spoke to them via telephone. However, his brief was simple as the inquiry initiator. He has to just collate whatever they have written in their show cause reply. He is expected to submit his report to CoA by tomorrow," an anonymous board official close to the matter was quoted saying.
While chief of the supreme court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) Vinod Rai is in favour of a quick resolution of the whole issue, his colleague former India captain Diana Edulji wants to wait till the appointment of an ombudsman, as per the new BCCI constitution.
Section 41 (c) which deals with misconduct or breach by players, the preliminary enquiry has to be conducted by the CEO within 48 hours, who will then submit his report to the Apex Council in not more than 15 days. In the absence of Apex Council, the CEO's report will be submitted to the Ombudsman.
The incident instigated a storm over the social media but it is learnt that the BCCI CEO didn't ask any questions on whether players' agents pressurised them into attending such a show or the manner in which they spoke.
"Any investigative question is the purview of the ombudsman. Now the next phase will only happen if the SC appoints an ombudsman or an ad-hoc ombudsman is appointed," the official said.
Vinod Rai actually had recommended just a two-match ban on the duo but it is Edulji who took the matter to the BCCI legal cell, which further refused to call the players' actions a violation of the code of conduct and promoted the appointment of an ombudsman.
Some office bearers even wanted Special General Meeting to discuss the matter, while Rai remained firm that the matter shouldn't be dragged too far.