BCCI challenges Kerala HC order quashing Sreesanth's ban
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appealed against the Kerala High Court's order lifting the life ban imposed on cricketer S Sreesanth. Questioning the single bench's ruling given on 7th August, the cricket board has said that "the court shouldn't have interfered in the matter", as the ban was imposed based on evidence against the defamed cricketer.
In May 2013, cricketer Sreesanth along with two other players, Ankeet Chavan, and Ajit Chandila, was arrested on charges of IPL spot-fixing. Following this, the BCCI's disciplinary committee handed life bans for Sreesanth, and Chavan in Sep 2013, and Chandila in Jan 2016. On the legal front however, charges were dropped against all three in July 2015, due to lack of sufficient evidence.
In March 2017, Sreesanth had approached the Kerala High Court challenging the life ban imposed on him by BCCI. He contended that the ban, despite the acquittal from Delhi court, violates his constitutional rights. Responding to the petition, BCCI reiterated its stand and refused to lift the ban. It further said that the exoneration from Delhi court has no impact on the board's decision.
Quashing the BCCI's decision to ban Sreesanth for life from all cricketing activities, the Kerala High Court passed the verdict in favor of the cricketer. The court noted that, "there was no material or evidence before the BCCI disciplinary committee to conclude that Sreesanth was guilty of violation of the anti-corruption code formulated by the BCCI. The conclusion was based solely on circumstantial evidence."
