[esteem_lover]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/co...ry/499070.html

In a ruling that is likely to have widespread repercussions for cricket administration in India, the Supreme Court has upheld a Kerala High Court decision that the officials of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) are public servants. The court's decision means that officials who are part of a private body, but perform what can be considered a public function, can now be tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which applies only to public servants. It is the first time the courts have taken such a view of sports administrators in India.
A two-justice bench comprising Justice VS Sirpurkar and TS Thakur dismissed an appeal filed by the KCA president, TR Balakrishanan, and secretary, TC Matthew, who had challenged the High Court's decision allowing them to be prosecuted under the act. The judges first heard the case on January 3, before adjourning it for three weeks as the association wanted more time to file additional documents. The case was finally dismissed yesterday, with the judges calling the High Court's decision a 'beautifully crafted judgement'.
Justice M Shashidharan Nambiar, who passed the High Court order, sought to establish whether the officials fall under the definition of public servant as laid out in the act. The KCA had argued that it was a private body similar to a club, and therefore did not come under the purview of the act. In its order, the High Court observed that the KCA had a monopoly on cricket in the state and performed a public duty and a public service, and so was liable to be prosecuted under the act.
"It [the decision] has far reaching consequences," Matthew told ESPNcricinfo. "In sports associations, people may fight, and those who are defeated may go to court. It opens a Pandora's Box. People can take vengeance in vigilance courts. Nothing will progress. Honest people will not come to work for associations like this."
One such association is the BCCI, of which the KCA is a member. The Indian board has consistently held it is a private organisation and not accountable to the public, but the ruling opens the door for anyone to challenge its officials and those of other cricket associations around the country.
The complainant, Balaji Iyengar , a chartered accountant and former Kerala junior cricketer, had filed the original complaint against the KCA in the Vigilance Court two years ago. The court ruled in favour of the KCA, saying its officials were not public servants, but Iyengar challenged the ruling in the High Court.
"So far sports associations in India have had responsibility without accountability," Iyengar said. "Hopefully this will usher in an era of responsibility with accountability."

A wonderful turn for cricket. How come BCCI and it's affiliates be treated as clubs with no accountability when it is the general public that funds it and the taxpayer's money that provides security for all the matches ? Hope this starts a reformation of sorts for the paying public. Has there been any instance of your money being refunded if the match is rained out after a single ball has been bowled ???

[vamsi.kona]

This was long due. They can't say they are a private body when they send a team that represents the Nation in all forms of International cricket and earn money from that. The team is called Indian Team not BCCI team unlike Teams in IPL which are called by their club names.

[Mitch]

Anyone watching this India v England world cup match? Bell was out in my book but will he now make India pay? Dhoni's captaincy is like my club's under 11s. He's a ball follower.

[msdivy]

Tendulkar says no to honorary doctorate

Great move by Sachin. A very bad precedent by the 2 universities. Sachin's time will come. But there are many deserving before him.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Anyone watching this India v England world cup match? Bell was out in my book but will he now make India pay?

The same situation where Bell was given not out happened during the Ireland match. Alex Cusack was given out lbw to Yuvraj Singh after a review even though he was way ahead (2.5 mts as shown on hawkeye). Even Bell was 2.5 mts ahead but was given not out.

Ironically, this was the same umpire who had reviewed Billy Bowden's notout decision of Bell.

[Eddy]

Please carry on with the world cup discussions on the exclusive WC thread. This thread shall be re-poened post the world cup

[creative420]

Hi Bangaloreans,

What a match last night? Point made to Ponting.

Well, it has inspired a bunch of my colleagues to start playing cricket again. Strictly, non-professionally on weekend mornings. So I wanted to know from Bangaloreans if there are any grounds where one can just go and dig stumps and start playing cricket?

If there are any BHPians who play already and have few slots to fill in. Or those who're looking to start playing again, then help! If all falls in place, we can start playing from TOMORROW!!! (There was no bat&ball smiley, hence this)

Cheers,

D

[Spitfire]

Come to KR Puram ground (right hand side while coming down KR Puram side) we play there every Saturday morning.

[creative420]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Come to KR Puram ground (right hand side while coming down KR Puram side) we play there every Saturday morning.

Leather ball? And how far is it from Indiranagar CMH Junction?

[amitoj]

Did anyone witness the slaughter of Bangladesh bowling attack by Watson today? 15 fours and 15 sixes! Maximum number of runs in boundaries by a batsman!

[SilentEngine]

I just saw the score in cricinfo. It must have been some hitting. 185 out of team score of 232 is unbelievable. If Bangla had scored a little more, he could overtaken Sachin's 200.

[harry10]

Doesnt matter now. 185 or 285,hit anything cos we dont care as world cup is ours..lol
On a serious note would love to see his innings,sounds awesome !

[ampere]

1. Sachin's 200 was against SA. This was against Bangladesh.
2. But having said that, one still needs to hit those runs!

It must have been a massacre!

[Lightening-Fast]

I read in cricinfo that since it was too hot and humid, shane decided to do least running and score most of his runs with boundaries!! I hope the weather is alright everytime he plays against india!

[esteem_lover]

Duncan Fletcher is India Coach for the next 2 years, could not have been a better choice. I am sure Gary had a lot to say in this and sachin and dhoni had their words of agreement on this, I wanted him.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...mpions-62.html