BCCI suspends Kundra pending inquiry

Raj Kundra, the Rajasthan Royals' co-owner, has been suspended by the BCCI pending the inquiry into alleged corruption in the IPL. The suspension means Kundra cannot associate himself with BCCI-run cricket events, or the Royals franchise, in any way until the results of the probe are in.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the BCCI's working committee in Delhi on Monday. It is similar to the decision taken with regard to Gurunath Meiyappan of Chennai Super Kings, who was arrested on charges of betting.

Kundra, however, said he would contest the board's decision. "I am shocked and upset at the unilateral decision taken today by the BCCI and will fight the grounds of suspension," he said in a statement. "I further clarify that this is my view and is not related to any other share-holders or owners of Rajasthan Royals."

Kundra, who Delhi Police says has allegedly confessed to betting on IPL matches, owns an 11.7% stake in Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd, the parent company of the Royals franchise. He admitted to betting when questioned by Delhi Police in a 12-hour session last week. The police had subsequently retained Kundra's passport, but he was not detained or arrested. Kundra later released a statement saying that he had done nothing "for which I need to have any regrets", and indicated on Twitter that the media had "misconstrued everything".

A two-man commission, comprising two retired Tamil Nadu High Court judges, is currently looking into the allegations of corruption against Gurunath and the parent owners of Super Kings and Royals. Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd was initially included in the because of the arrest of three Royals players for alleged spot-fixing last month. Now Kundra, too, will be investigated by this two-man commission.

Royals, in a statement, had said they would suspend Kundra and force him to forfeit his shares if he was proven guilty following investigations. The franchise had said in the statement that Kundra was only a "minority shareholder", and was not involved in the running of the Royals.