The Supreme Court today came down hammer and tongs at Srinivasan and his plea to be allowed to contest the BCCI elections. Supreme Court all but dashed any hopes he may have had of an early return and posed plenty of tough questions to Srinivasan. SC went to the extent of noting that Srinivasan was "Killing Cricket", with his conduct.
N. Srinivasan Slammed by Supreme Court, Asks 'How Can BCCI Chief own an IPL Team?' - Cricket News
While more developments are awaited on the next hearing date, here are the key points from today's hearing -
On IPL being a BCCI product:
You can't make a distinction between BCCI and IPL. IPL a is a by-product of BCCI. Some people who are in BCCI now own a team. Now it has become a mutual benefit society.
On Srinivasan wearing two caps:
"Your duty as a president is to keep the show [IPL] running and to keep it clean. What is your duty as a team owner? To win the tournament."
On betting and spot-fixing:
"If you allow these things to happen, then you are killing the game of cricket. Cricket must be played in its true spirit and should remain a gentleman's game. If confidence of the people is shattered, then the game will be over."
On winning the trust of the public:
"Millions of fans are passionate about the game without having any stake in it. It is this public trust that the BCCI needed to pay attention to. Do you want to sit over the liquidation of the game in this country?"
On recognition for Indian cricket, globally:
"Recognition comes when one lakh people turn up at Eden Gardens to watch a match. That recognition is not because of Srinivasan. The benefit of doubt must go to the game rather than the individual."
On BCCI working committee taking action on erring members:
"Should the BCCI use their administrative mechanisms in this matter? Several conflict of interest issues will arise and these questions can't be wished away."
On Srinivasan contesting BCCI elections:
"You are assuming that the (Mudgal Committee) report has cleared you. You can't use BCCI rules to say that you will stand for elections, because the doctrine of public trust will apply.
On how Meiyappan has ruined Srinivasan's reputation:
"The report says you are not involved in betting or fixing or in stalling the investigation. But you have to ask whether despite those findings, you are an owner of a team which is playing, you are related to an individual (Gurunath Meiyappan) who is found in betting. Will that not affect your status as member of the BCCI?"
On individuals challenging the probe report:
"We don't expect people to stand up and confess. There could be corollaries and consequences arising from the inferences contained in the report. That you cannot escape."
On IPL committees and Srinivasan's role:
"You mean to say when a decision is taken in the BCCI, the president is a mute spectator in all this? That he has no say in the matter?"
