Former BCCI Legal advisor says it was wrong to cancel Mohammed Shami contract

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and his promising career has come to crossroads ever since his wife of four years, Hasin Jahan, made several allegations against him, the main ones being an extra-marital affair with several women and attempt to murder. Following this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) withdrew Shami’s name from the list of its central contracts, but many opine that until the charges against the fast-bowler are proved, the board should not cancel his contract. The Kolkata police are currently investigating the matter.

Wrong of BCCI to mix personal and professional matters?

In the wake of this issues, former legal advisor of the BCCI, Usha Nath Bandhyopadhyay has said that it is wrong on the Indian board’s part to withdraw a talented player’s contract because of certain unproved allegations made by his wife.

“The selection (of a player) is done on the basis of merit and I have nothing to say if a player’s contract is canceled on the basis of that. If the contract is canceled on the basis of a complaint by his wife, it would be illegal and wrong. BCCI has no right to cancel the contract on the basis of a complaint filed by his wife,” said Bandyopadhyay to ndtv.

Several charges against Shami 

The Delhi Daredevils bowler has been booked under sections 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 323 (Causing hurt), 307 (Attempt to murder), 376 (Punishment for rape), 506 (Criminal intimidation), 328 (Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC.

His IPL team is keeping a close look at the situation and also awaiting BCCI’s legal opinion on whether they can permit Shami to join their camp which begins towards the end of March. The 11th season of IPL begins on April 7 in Mumbai.