Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul were suspended pending an inquiry into their outrage-evoking comments on women during a TV show, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai said. The cricketers, who have been in the eye of a storm following their sexist remarks on ‘Koffee with Karan’, has since returned to India to face the inquiry.
“Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry,” Rai said. The decision comes after Rai’s CoA colleague Diana Edulji recommended suspension till further action against the two after the BCCI legal team refused to declare their comments a violation of the code of conduct. Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after Vinod Rai agreed with her and recommended the same.
“It is imperative that players be put under suspension till further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO (Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter,” read Edulji’s response to the legal opinion. Their remarks on the show were also condemned by India captain Virat Kohli, who called them inappropriate. Pandya had boasted about hooking up with multiple women and being open about it with his parents during the interview. Rahul was, however, a shade more restrained in his responses on relationships.
CoA members fight over disciplinary action
As Rai and Edulji are not in agreement over how the inquiry should be conducted, there is a question mark over the time frame of the suspended players' return to the Indian team fold. Their IPL participation, too, will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process. The twenty20 league starts on March 23. Rai has communicated to Edulji that he won’t be part of the process if it doesn’t follow the BCCI constitution. The CoA chairman wanted cricket board chief executive Rahul Johri to commence the inquiry. Edulji didn’t agree, saying that the CEO conducting the inquiry would present “bad optics”, as he himself had been embroiled in a sexual harassment case. Edulji wanted BCCI office-bearers to be part of the process instead.
Rahul, Pandya record statements with BCCI
Pandya and Rahul on Tuesday gave their statements to Johri, who initiated the inquiry into their comments on women that have split the Committee of Administrators (CoA). It is learnt that both players deposed via facetime after having tendered unconditional apologies in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the BCCI.
“Johri called both the cricketers. He spoke to them for five to seven minutes on facetime. He explained to them the clauses under which this inquiry is happening. They admitted to their mistake and repeated what they’ve mentioned in their apology letters,” a BCCI official said. It’s learnt that the BCCI’s legal representative too participated in the discussion.
“Johri will prepare two separate reports of both the cricketers and mention what they’ve had to say and keep it ready to be submitted to the ombudsman (whenever one is appointed). The CoA expects an ombudsman to be appointed when the next court hearing on the BCCI case happens on January 17. If an ombudsman is not appointed on that date by the Supreme Court, the CoA will appoint an ad-hoc ombudsman. The CEO will then submit the reports to the ombudsman and once the latter comes up with the directives on punishment/ penalty, it’ll be sent to the CoA to ratify,” he said.
