BCCI acting president CK Khanna refuses call for SGM; requests CoA to reinstate Rahul and Pandya

CK Khanna wants Supreme Court to decided the matter.

Pandya and Rahul's careers have been paused thanks to infighting amongst CoA members and BCCIThe Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul controversy refuse to show signs of ending soon, as a new twist has engulfed the issue. On Saturday, the BCCI acting president CK Khanna refused to convene a Special General Meeting for the appointment of an ombudsman as the matter is sub-judice.

The duo has been suspended pending an inquiry for their sexist comments on TV show Koffee with Karan and Supreme Court had earlier postponed the matter. The Committee of Administrators running the BCCI wants Supreme Court to appoint an ombudsman to decide the fate of Pandya and Rahul.

Around 14 state units, mainly former BCCI president N Srinivasan's loyalists, had requested Khanna to convene an emergent SGM, which needs to be called in 10 days. Even treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry had written o CK Khanna and requested for convening an AGM.

"As per constitution of the BCCI, an ombudsman can be appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). And moreover, the matter (of an appointment of ombudsman) is already sub-judice," Khanna replied to Chaudhry.

Khanna had also sought BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary's opinions and quoted article 40 of the new constitution on the appointment of an ombudsman.

"Why would Khanna or Amitabh sign the notice for convening Special General Meeting when the matter is in Supreme Court. There would be a risk of Contempt of Court," a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI.

"As per protocol, Mr. Rai sought Diana's suggestion but he could easily overrule her view of getting a legal opinion, which started this mess. He (Rai) could have easily done what he did in the women's coach selection case," the official observed.

Khanna had written to the CoA and requested them to let Pandya and Rahul play till their punishments were decided.

"I urge for a meeting/discussion between Committee of Administrators and the office bearers to resolve this issue on priority. What Mr. Hardik Pandya said and Mr. K.L. Rahul acted as a bystander to is inappropriate and absolutely wrong, but in my personal opinion, to treat them like lawbreakers is wrong too. They made a mistake, and they have already been suspended and called back from the series against Australia. They have also submitted an unconditional apology. For the interest of the Indian cricket in mind, the deplorable off ground activity of the players requires immediate corrective action but we must not keep their careers in limbo," said Khanna.

"I suggest that pending inquiry we reinstate both the cricketers into the Indian squad immediately and allow them to join the team in New Zealand at the earliest. Both these cricketers need game time before the World Cup which starts in four months’ time. We should give these growing cricketers chance to correct themselves morally," he signed off.

(inputs from firstpost.com/PTI)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 19 Jan, 2019

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