‘No fair probe while Srini is in BCCI’

With the Supreme Court yet to give its judgement on the PIL filed by Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma, N. Srinivasan’s re-election as BCCI president has once again brought to the forefront the overpowering influence that people in position wield in the country’s top cricket body. “How can you have an independent probe (into spot-fixing case) with Srinivasan heading the BCCI ” questions advocate Rahul Mehra, who has filed and won several cases to ensure transparency in the country’s sports bodies including BCCI and the Indian Olympic Association. “His very presence in the board will scare everyone associated with cricket in the country. He has enormous power and influence. A fair probe will simply not be possible unless Srinivasan is suspended,” adds Mehra, who is popular for his judicial activism in the field of sports. Mehra also raised the question of why the mighty members of the BCCI are silent spectators to the misuse of authority by Srinivasan. “Why are they not moving a no-confidence motion against him Even a Resident Welfare Association election is more hotly contested than what this election to BCCI president’s post was. Every member is so powerful. Despite that, nobody contested against Srinivasan. This is the kind of clout he enjoys. From giving money and favours to horse-trading, everything happens behind the scenes at the board,” he said. Mehra, who has been critical of the “totalitarian” way of functioning of the BCCI, said that Srinivasan has even violated the written undertaking that he gave to the court stating that he will not take active part in the BCCI’s affairs till he is given a clean-chit in the spot-fixing case. “The clean-chit given by the committee appointed by Srinivasan has been quashed by the highest court. What is most laughable is that Srinivasan has suggested to the SC that the new committee, to be headed by Arun Jaitley, a thoroughly compromised man who would need Srinivasan’s and the South lobby’s support as he plans to contest the next presidential election (at BCCI),” said Mehra.