The high court on Thursday held that match-fixing and betting scandals in cricket were the result of BCCI’s inaction in taking appropriate step as per the procedure established by law.
A division bench comprising Justices Ashutosh Mohunta and G. Krishna Mohan Reddy had allowed an appeal by the former cricketer challenging a 2003 order of second additional chief judge, city civil court, Hyderabad.
The bench agreed with Mr Mohammed Azharuddin’s counsel K. Ramakant Reddy’s argument that there was no evidence against the former cricketer that he had succumbed to any pressure while playing cricket.
It also observed that the BCCI had proceeded against Mr Azharuddin unilaterally. Justice Mohunta also set aside BCCI’s decisions that he would not be eligible for any benefit matches and that the board’s contribution to his benevolent fund would be forfeited.
Justice Reddy observed, “This case is one of the best examples of a player wiggling out of the serious allegations of match-fixing, betting etc, made against him mainly because of inaction of the BCCI to take appropriate action as per the procedure established by law.” Justice Reddy said that “making allegations is one thing whereas proving those allegations, which requires placement of necessary evidence which can be substantiated, is another thing”.
The match-fixing scandal had surfaced after strong evidence was found of former South African skipper, late Hansie Cronje, and others having links with bookies. Mr Azharuddin’s name had figured in the probe.