IPL spot-fixing: SC says no ban on IPL, slams BCCI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to impose a stay on IPL matches following the spot-fixing scandal involving three Rajasthan Royals players. The SC said it cannot be done just because of certain irregularities on the part of a few players. “Let the cricket remain a gentleman’s game and not tainted by irregularities and scams.”  The apex court rejected the plea, saying it cannot ban the IPL but pulled up the BCCI and directed them to take strict action against those found guilty. “The problem is the lackadaisical approach of BCCI and it must stop. There has to be scientific, rational, dispassionate approach on part of BCCI to solve the problem,” the court said. The Supreme Court also directed a one-man committee appointed by BCCI to submit its report on spot-fixing scandal before it within 15 days. Earlier today, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the PIL filed before it seeking a stay on the semi-final and final IPL matches until a probe is initiated. A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Deepak Misra posted the matter for further hearing at 2 pm. On Monday, a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court seeking setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe spot fixing and other alleged irregularities in IPL 2013, apart from a stay on remaining matches. The petitioner, a Lucknow resident, has made all IPL franchises and BCCI party in the case along with the Centre. “There are many irregularities in the IPL beginning from auction of players. Black money and money from anti-social elements are involved in the IPL which needs to be probed,” advocate Vishnu Jain, who filed the petition, said. The petition sought a stay on remaining four matches including final match of the IPL till the probe is completed.