India's Supreme Court rejects petition to stay IPL playoffs

The Supreme Court of India has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) to stay the IPL playoff matches until the completion of investigations of the alleged spot-fixing in the tournament. It has, however, given the BCCI a 15-day deadline to conclude its investigation, which is being carried out by the board's anti-corruption unit chief Ravi Sawani.

The PIL, filed on Monday by a resident of Lucknow, sought a stay on the playoffs and the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe spot-fixing. The petitioner had asked that the matches be put off until the SIT completed its inquiry.

In its ruling, the court observed that cricket was a gentleman's game "and it should remain as gentleman's, not tainted". At the same time, it said was not a case for the court to "interfere and ban matches".

It was critical of the BCCI's attitude. "Definitely, there is some kind of irregularity. But the biggest problem is the lackadaisical attitude of BCCI. It should stop. There has to be some scientific, dispassionate and impartial approach to solve these problems."

It warned that the viewers "may not be able to retain their quietus" if the BCCI didn't act.

The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, also rejected a similar petition that sought a stay on the IPL matches.*