CoA to refer Hardik-Rahul issue to BCCI ombudsman DK Jain

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices S.A. Bobde and A.M. Sapre had on February 21 appointed Justice (retired) D.K. Jain as the ombudsman and the latter was asked to take charge immediately

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) is set to refer the case of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul to the BCCI’s newly-appointed Ombudsman DK Jain on Thursday. Both the cricketers were provisionally suspended for their sexist remarks on a TV talk show which was eventually revoked later, pending an inquiry.

Now that the Ombudsman has been appointed by the Supreme Court to resolve disputes, he will take a call on the case involving Rahul and Pandya.

The CoA had issued a statement which read, “The Committee of Administrators (CoA) had, by emails dated 11.01.2019 and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI suspended Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution.

“Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Supreme Court, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect.

“The above matter and decision have been taken with the concurrence of Amicus Curiae P.S. Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman.”

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices S.A. Bobde and A.M. Sapre had on February 21 appointed Justice (retired) D.K. Jain as the ombudsman and the latter was asked to take charge immediately.