Pune court revokes BCCI ban
The Pune District civil court, hearing cricketer Abhijit Kale's appeal against the suspension imposed on him, has restrained the BCCI from barring him from playing first class matches without holding an inquiry
Wisden Cricinfo staff
28-Nov-2003
A Pune district civil court has ruled against the BCCI's ban on Abhijit Kale, stating that the ban could not be applied without holding an inquiry. The court's verdict makes Kale eligible to play first-class cricket again.
Reacting to this judgement, Mr Milind Hartalkar, the BCCI's counsel in Pune, told NDTV, "We are studying the judgements and if necessary we shall move a higher court by filing the appeal in the proper court."
Balasaheb Thorve, Chairman of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), spoke to Wisden Cricinfo shortly after the court ruling. "If the court has said it, we have to follow it. What else can we do? It's a court order, which we all have to agree to. Kale still has to appear in front of a disciplinary commission, as he has to follow BCCI rules and regulations. The court has lifted the ban but has not said anything about that disciplinary commission. The MCA will follow the BCCI."
The BCCI had suspended Kale after receiving written complaints from two national selectors - Kiran More and Pranob Roy - alleging that Kale had offered them Rs 10 lakhs each for a place in the Indian team.
Besides suspending Kale, Jagmohan Dalmiya also announced an inquiry, which is being conducted by DV Subba Rao, chairman of the Bar Council of India. The board has asked Rao to submit his report within 15 days.