BCCI imposes two-year
ban on Bindra

The Board of Control for Cricket in India Friday imposed a two-year ban on former president Inderjit Singh Bindra for his outburst against the country's apex cricket board in the match-fixing scandal.

As per the action taken at the special general-body meeting of the board in Madras, Bindra can neither hold nor contest any BCCI office, sources said.

The board had recently served a show-cause notice on Bindra, asking him to explain his stance on the issue.

The decision could be reviewed anytime during this period, BCCI sources said.

The special general body meeting, which met here under the chairmanship of BCCI President A C Muthiah, passed a resolution to the effect, stating that ''Bindra has been warned for his outburst, which has brought disrepute to the same''.

The review would be done by a special general body anytime during the two-year period, the sources said.

The special general body also warned the Punjab Cricket Association and advised it not to nominate Bindra for any board meetings for two years, until or otherwise a decision of the special general body regarding Bindra was reviewed.

The meeting also decided to postpone amendments to the memorandum of articles, rules and regulations of the BCCI constitution, due to insufficient notice being given.

Reacting to the decision, Bindra said, "I have always said that I will respect the board president's decision. We have maintained a tradition in the board and I was its president for three years. I accept Muthiah's decision and leave the rest to him, who is respected highly by members of the board".

Muthiah said, "It is indeed a sad thing. But we have to apply the procedure, which has been laid down".

He said, "It is a just and fair decision. It also gives a signal to all members of the board to be cautious before making baseless allegations, which bring disrepute to the board."

Except for the PCA representative, all 29 member unit nominees and special invitees were present when the decisions were taken.

Bindra and PCA secretary M P Pandove were asked to wait outside the meeting hall, when the members deliberated for 10 minutes before passing the resolution moved by Muthiah.

Before taking these decisions, Pandove followed by Bindra were called and asked whether they had anything further to inform the members present.

"Pandove informed the members that the PCA has nothing more to add to its written explanations given to the board and the disciplinary committee," Muthiah said, adding, "Bindra said that if he had inadvertently made certain remarks which have hurt the feelings of the administrators, he had never meant it and he was ready to apologise".

Muthiah said that after considering what Pandove and Bindra had said the general body unanimously passed the resolution.

On whether the meeting had decided on the further course of action if Bindra moved court or again made remarks against the board, Muthiah said, "The board will have to review its decision and take suitable action.''

Agencies

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