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Journalism of Courage
Over the next three days, the Abhijit Kale episode could enter its most decisive phase.
First up on Thursday morning would be the civil court case in Pune, which would restart hearing on the petition filed by the player asking for a stay on the BCCI order suspending him.
The BCCI’s lawyers will be explaining to the court the grounds on which Kale had been suspended and thereby try to press for a quashing of the plea.
If Kale does manage to obtain an interim stay, it would be interesting to see if the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) includes him in the side for the second Ranji Trophy Plate ‘B’ match, starting on Monday.
The MCA has gone on record with its intention to ‘not support’ Kale in court, but extend all the ‘moral support’ he needs.
More importantly, from Saturday all eyes would be firmly fixed on the BCCI’s inquiry commissioner DV Subba Rao, who begins his preliminary work in his home town, Vishakapatnam, with the first hearing set for Saturday.
The Commissioner has been asked to submit his findings within 15 days — six of those days are over. Rao, also chairman of the Bar Council of India, has already sent faxes to national selectors Kiran More and Pranab Roy to furnish details about their allegations against Kale before attending the hearing.
Rao told The Indian Express on Wednesday that all three parties concerned are ‘expected’ to be present.
‘‘It is very important to hear Kale’s version as well. So since I did not have the fax number of Kale I had to courier the notice to his Thane address,’’ Rao said.
However, Kale said this evening that he hadn’t yet received any notice from the BCCI commissioner. He was also non-committal on whether he would be going to Vizag for the hearing, which will be held in camera. ‘‘I don’t know, let’s see,’’ was all that he preferred to say.
While saying he was willing to fix a fresh date for he hearing if any of the three were unable to attend on Saturday, Rao also stressed that there was a chance that the three would come face to face that day. ‘‘It’s too early to say anything, since it’s a preliminary inquiry, I will first have to hear them out.’’
Rao explained that he would not be making dramatic announcements on Saturday and would decide if the probe will see extension for another day.
‘‘ Depending on whether I get more names or something more than expected will we have an extension. It is also important that I should not send any wrong signals considering so much attention is devoted to the matter.’’
