The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday came up with a set of proposals to “clean-up“ Indian cricket -- "Operation Clean-up," according to Pragya Tiwari of the DECCAN HERALD. It included suggestions "ranging from removing sleaze in the Indian Premier League to strict code of conduct for players, support staff and owners following the spot-fixing and betting scandal in this year’s IPL." BCCI interim CEO Jagmohan Dalmiya read out the pointers of the blueprint that will be discussed with the IPL captains and team owners before being finalized. Operation Clean-Up features 12 points (DECCAN HERALD, 6/10). The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reported the BCCI on Monday decided to "do away with IPL after-match parties and cheerleaders." The BCCI also put in place "some stringent rules for players, officials and support staff by barring them from accepting gifts and requiring them to furnish their telephone numbers before the start of the Indian Premier League" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/10).
BCCI SUSPENDS KUNDRA: The HINDUSTAN TIMES reported the BCCI on Monday suspended Rajasthan Royal's “minority stakeholder” Raj Kundra pending probe and decided not to have cheerleaders and after-match parties in the T20 league. The decision to suspend Kundra "was taken at the BCCI working committee meeting following his alleged confession to the Delhi police" that he had placed bets to the tune of Rs one crore ($175,690) on T20 league matches during the past three years. The committee has assigned the Kundra probe to the two-member panel, comprising Justice T. Jayaram Chouta and Justice R. Balasubramanian, which is "currently investigating" former Chennai Super Kings CEO Gurunath Meiyappan and CSK roles in the betting racket. Kundra's counsel Majeed Memon termed the BCCI decision “hasty” and “shocking.” Memon: "The decision violates the principals of natural justice … We will challenge the suspension order" (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 6/10). Kundra, who along with his Bollywood actress and wife owns 11.7% stakes in the Royals, is the second person associated with the senior management of an IPL franchise to be arrested by police and later suspended by the Indian cricket board. The first was Meiyappan, who was "supposedly team principal at Chennai Super Kings" (THE NATIONAL, 6/10).
BOARD CONSIDERS KUNDRA PROBE: In New Delhi, Somshuvra Laha wrote the BCCI could initiate a separate probe against Kundra "on the betting allegations levelled against him by the Delhi Police." The BCCI was "supposed to discuss the allegations in Monday’s emergency working committee meeting," but might change its mind and launch a full investigation. Dalmiya said, “We are discussing that in our meetings right now. I can’t give you any details" (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 6/9).
KUNDRA SPEAKS OUT: The PTI reported on Monday Kundra "expressed shock at BCCI’s decision to suspend him on charges of gambling in IPL and said he was being made a 'scapegoat' by people in powerful positions." Kundra: "I am shocked and upset at the unilateral decision taken today by the BCCI and will fight the grounds of suspension. All sorts of accusations were made against me without proof, by people in powerful positions. It is sad that without accurate facts, I am being made a scapegoat and put under trial by the media based on unproved claims.” Kundra said that he was "committed to the development of sports in India and was hurt by the allegations which were levelled against him." Kundra said, "All those who know me are aware that sport is my first love" (PTI, 6/10).
RAMDIN SUSPENDED: The PTI also reported West Indies cricketer Denesh Ramdin was on Monday suspended for two One-Day Int'l's and also fined 100% of his match fee after he was "found guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game" in an Int'l Cricket Council hearing. The decision means Ramdin will miss Tuesday's Champions Trophy clash against India (PTI, 6/10).
