The Supreme Court-appointed BCCI Ombudsman Justice (Retd) D.K. Jain has issued notices to India cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul to appear for deposition for their sexist comments on a TV chat show. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were provisionally suspended by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) for their loose talk on chat show “Koffee With Karan” before the ban was lifted pending inquiry by the Ombudsman.
“I have issued notices last week to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul asking them to appear for deposition,” Justice Jain told on Monday.
However, it is not clear how the BCCI will co-ordinate with Pandya and Rahul’s respective franchises Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab to arrange for their deposition in between the ongoing IPL 2019.
“Both are playing IPL and the itinerary is packed with back to back matches and a gruelling travel schedule,” a BCCI official said.
The Ombudsman, who is also the BCCI’s ad-hoc Ethics Officer, made it clear that for the matter to reach its logical conclusion, the duo need to depose.
“As per principles of natural justice, I need to hear their side. It’s up to them now to decide when they want to appear,” Justice Jain said.
