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Harbhajan issue: BCCI hits back at the Australian media

Judge’s decision based on facts: Shah
No money power used: Shetty

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday described the Australian media’s attack on the ‘reprieve’ to Harbhajan Singh in the racial abuse case as “demeaning and insulting” to the office of the appeals commissioner while insisting that it was a “fair trial”.

“As far as BCCI is concerned we went according to the ruling of the ICC. The ICC had appointed Appeals Commissioner Justice John Hansen, who is a respected High Court judge in New Zealand. So to find fault and criticise his decision is demeaning and insulting to the office of the Appeals Commissioner,” BCCI Chief Administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said. Reports claimed the Australian players were “frustrated” and dismayed after Harbhajan got away with a fine.

“If India wanted to use its money power there would have been other ways to follow instead of following the procedure set up by the ICC,” Mr. Shetty said.

“The judge’s decision was based on the fact that there was no video or audio recording of the offensive words supposed to have been uttered by Harbhajan. Mike Procter’s finding that Sachin Tendulkar could not have heard Harbhajan was also disapproved,” he said.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah also expressed his utmost disappointment at the Australian media reports.

“We are very disappointed at what has appeared in the Australian media, he said. “India has very good relations with Cricket Australia. It was a very fair trial and no money power was used as claimed. There was no pressure on anyone,” he said.

BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla also rubbished the Australian media allegations and said the decision was taken on merit.

“It is completely rubbish. How can justice be purchased? They are casting aspersions on an Appeals Commissioner,” Mr. Shukla said.

“There is no question of money power in pushing any decision. It was taken after a compete hearing of the case by the appeals commissioner,” he said.

“Despite a joint letter by the Indian and Australian cricketers, the Appeals Commissioner did not give any importance to that letter and heard the full case. It was on the basis of merit that he dropped the racism charges,” he added. — PTI

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