The arguments that didn't work for owners of CSK, RR
The arguments presented by Gurunath Meiyappan's legal team asking for leniency, which were not accepted by the Supreme Court
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Jul-2015
The Lodha committee was tasked with fixing the sanctions on Gurunath Meiyappan, Raj Kundra, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Here's the case made to the committee for a lenient punishment by India Cements Limited (ICL) and Jaipur IPL Cricket Limited's (JIPL) lawyers, and the committee's responses.
| No. | Arguments | Counter arguments by the Lodha Panel |
| 1 | The company (CSK only) has a long history of contribution to cricket and cricketers | This argument cannot be accepted because the act of Team Officals has affected the purity of the game and the contribution, if any, by the franchises has also been wasted because millions of people who are true lovers of the game feel cheated |
| 2 | There are no previous antecedents in regards to the companies giving room to any suspicion against its team officials | No urgent action was taken by the franchises against the Team Officials. The order of suspension passed by the BCCI is not action by the franchise against its Team Official. Each franchise is under an obligation to ensure that each of its Team Officials comply with the regulations, in particular the Anti Corruption Code |
| 3 | If the companies are suspended, the entire IPL league as well as all the stakeholders, including players and fans, would stand to lose | Disrepute has been brought to the game of cricket, the BCCI and the IPL to such an extent that now doubts abound in the public consciousness about whether games are clean or not |
| 4 | Findings, if any, are against the Team Officials in their personal capacity and liability should not be imposed on the franchises | If those who indulge in corrupt practices are an integral part of the franchises in view of them being an owner/Team Official, the arguments that these acts were personal does not merit acceptance if the actions of these individiuals affect the image of the game, the BCCI and the IPL |
| 5 | The company (CSK only) has suffered immense loss of value already and the market capitalization has fallen and the share prices have fallen tremendously since the 2013 IPL |
Suffice to say that such loss is too small in comparison to the loss caused to the reputation of the game, the BCCI and the IPL |
| 6 | The company (RR only) has been highly celebrated as a nursery for players. The Rajasthan Royals have scouted and nurtured talent in the country and the world. They have provided players a platform to showcase their talents and strengthen the team with the objective of winning matches for Rajasthan Royals |
The company claims that it is highly celebrated as a nursery for players. But the fact remains that three RR players were arrested and charged with spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL season. The committee can also take notice of the fact that there has been allegations of approach to one of its players for corrupt practices in 2015 IPL season as well. This shows that all is not well with the company in handling Anti-Corruption Code issues |
Having rejected all the arguments presented by India Cements Ltd and Jaipur IPL's lawyers, the Lodha Panel announced the following sanction on the two companies.
"On consideration of all relevant aspects of the matter, the Committee imposes sanction on JIPL [and ICL] under Section 6, rule 4.2(c) of the Operational Rules by suspending it from the League for a period of two years. "
The period of suspension shall commence from the date of this order.