BCCI appeals against Kerala High Court over lifting of Sreesanth's ban

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appealed against the decision of the Kerala High Court in regard to the S Sreesanth case. The tainted Indian pace bowler was charged with spot-fixing allegations back in the year 2013 during the Indian Premier League. The pace bowler, along with two of his team mates at Rajasthan Royals camp, were alleged to have fixed matches.

The BCCI had then banned S Sreesanth. The fast bowler had then underwent a series of investigations and questionings. After a couple of years, he was finally acquitted of all charges imposed against him by the court in 2015. Sreesanth, in his attempt to stage a comeback to cricket, had questioned the ban in the Kerala High Court.

The lack of evidences suggested that he was not guilty. The Kerala High Court had then lifted the lifetime ban imposed on Sreesanth. The veteran cricketer is now eyeing a comeback to the national side sometime soon. Now, as per the recent reports in the Indian Express, the Indian cricket board has questioned the judgment of the Kerala High Court.

BCCI’s statement

Despite Sreesanth being cleared of all charges by the Delhi police and court, the Indian board seems in no mood to forgive the tainted bowler. Earlier, the board had issued an affidavit wherein they had mentioned that there could be cases wherein a particular person might not seem guilty from the disciplinary norms, but can still be guilty of violating the internal norms and rules of an institution.

“The standard of proof required under a penal statute is much higher than the proof required for a disciplinary inquiry. Therefore, on an appreciation of the same evidence, one may not be guilty of criminal consequences but can be found guilty for violating the internal disciplinary rules of an organization,” the BCCI had earlier stated.