BCCI bars Bindra for two years
In keeping with its tough stance of late, the Board of Control for Cricket in India at the special general body meeting in Chennai on Friday, restrained its former President IS Bindra from attending meetings of the BCCI for two years, though the
Partab Ramchand
23-Feb-2001
In keeping with its tough stance of late, the Board of Control for
Cricket in India at the special general body meeting in Chennai on
Friday, restrained its former President IS Bindra from attending
meetings of the BCCI for two years, though the decision could be
reviewed anytime during this period.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, BCCI president AC Muthiah said
the following resolution was passed: "Bindra shall not for a period
of two years from today, attend the meetings of the BCCI or any
committees thereof nor participate in any of the Board's activities
whatsoever. Bindra shall not indulge in any publicity which is
prejudicial to the reputation of the board. This decision may be
reviewed by the members at any time before the expiry of two years at
the special general meeting to be convened for the said purpose."
In another resolution, the Board said that the "Punjab Cricket
Association shall not nominate IS Bindra on its behalf to represent at
the meetings of the Board or any of its committees for a period of two
years from today, unless this decision is reviewed by the members at
any time before the expiry of two years at the special general meeting
to be convened for the said purpose."
Muthiah said that Bindra had been warned for his outburst, which has
brought disrepute to the board. On his part, reacting to the decision,
Bindra told reporters "I have always said I will abide by Board
President AC Muthiah's decision. I have nothing else to add."
Bindra had been issued a show cause notice for making certain
"unwarranted statements" as Muthiah put it, in the wake of the match
fixing scandal last year. The board president said Bindra had replied
to the notice and this was placed before the three member disciplinary
committee at Chennai on January 18. Bindra attended the meeting and at
the end of it, showered praise on Muthiah, indicating a contrite
attitude. Muthiah said at today's meeting, Bindra was given a further
opportunity to add anything he wanted to what he had said earlier
while explaining his position. Bindra, while saying that he had
nothing further to add, also expressed regret for inadvertently
hurting the feelings of the board members. Following this, the board
adopted the two resolutions.
Muthiah insisted that the meeting, contrary to expectations, was
smooth and was over in ten minutes with no dissenting voice. He said
that the decision in his view was "fair" and sent out a signal to
board members that they should observe caution in what they say or do
and they should not make "unsubstantiated charges."
Questioned as to why action had been taken after Bindra had
apologised, Muthiah said the members felt that some action had to be
taken. "One cannot make false allegations," he said. He admitted
that it was "a sad thing" that such a step had to be taken against a
former board president but added that some procedures had to be
followed.
The decision was actually a sort of compromise between those in the
board who wanted to take a soft action and those who had adopted a
hard line against Bindra, who is currently president of the Punjab
Cricket Association. The latter group in fact favoured an expulsion
and hectic parleys were on last night in a bid to reach a patch up.
The Punjab Cricket Association, which was also issued a show cause
notice along with Bindra following criticism of the Board's
functioning, will get all its subsidy funds and enjoy all rights
hitherto given to the affiliated units of the Board, said Muthiah.
The board president also confirmed that a charity match between the
Indian and Australian teams for the earthquake victims in Gujarat
would be played on March 23 at Chennai. The 35 overs match, which be a
day night game, will be played on the day following the third Test
match.