BCB appoints disciplinary panel chairman

Former chief justice of Bangladesh's Supreme Court, Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury, will chair the 10-member disciplinary panel that will help conduct the disciplinary proceedings against the nine individuals charged with alleged corruption during this year's Bangladesh Premier League. Chowdhury's appointment as panel chairman is the first step of the disciplinary process, according to Article 5 of the BCB's anti-corruption code.

Chowdhury, who was chief justice from March 2001 to June 2002, confirmed to the Daily Star on Wednesday that he had agreed to take up the role. He will now pick the other nine members of the panel, from which the three-member anti-corruption tribunal that will hear the case - if it goes to trial - will eventually be picked.

"I have given my consent to the BCB with regards to heading the panel," Chowdhury said. "I will appoint the other members of the panel, but I have not reached any decisions yet. I have some names in mind but have not yet made any offers; it will take some time."

The nine persons charged have till August 27 to make their pleas - the tribunal will need to be formed and the case goes to trial only if they plead not guilty. In that case, the ICC will reply to them while Chowdhury picks the members of tribunal.

While the case is under the BCB's jurisdiction, ICC chief executive Dave Richardson had mentioned during Tuesday's press conference that "the prosecution of the case and conduct of the hearing will be carried out on behalf of the BCB by the ICC". A senior BCB official told ESPNcricinfo that the ICC will assist in an administrative capacity throughout the proceedings because of its resources and experience in the field. "BCB will only have to appoint the chairman of the disciplinary panel," the official said. "The ICC will do everything else leading up to the hearing."

According to Article 5 of the anti-corruption code, the convenor of the tribunal could call a preliminary hearing with the anti-corruption officials and the persons charged before the hearing begins, "to address any issues that need to be resolved prior to the hearing date". That date must be within 40 days of the accused having received the charge letters.

If there are no exceptional circumstances arising during this time, the full hearing should begin within the third week of September.