Chennai, November 25: Satisfactory, was the initial reaction of K Madhavan. The former CBI Joint Director submitted his enquiry report on match fixing charges levelled against five cricketers to BCCI president AC Muthiah in front of a strong media gathering at Hotel Raddison on Saturday.Madhavan’s report in three parts was a voluminous one of 340 pages. The first one of 99 pages is the operative portion, the second pertaining to statements recorded by CBI of 107 pages and the third of Madhavan and the players. Madhavan said his job is over and the ball now is in BCCI’s court. ‘‘It is up to the BCCI to go through the report and come out with its course of action. I hope the board will be very objective and act correctly before coming to a conclusion after going into details the report of his and CBI.’’ ‘‘I would be committing a grave impropriety if I disclose the contents of my report before the BCCI studies it,’’ Madhavan said when pointed out that Azharuddin and Jadeja have already denied the CBI charges. The three-member disciplinary committee chaired by Muthiah with Board members Kamal Murarka and Ram Prasad, will meet in Calcutta on November 27. ‘‘The Board’s decision would be based on Madhavan’s findings and the quantum of punishment would also be as per the decision of the general body.’’ Madhavan pointed out that CBI had only charged BCCI of ‘supervisory negligence’ and not for involvement in match-fixing. ‘‘The punishment will depend on the gravity of the crime.’’ The players will have the chance to contest the decision and they could seek civil remedy, Madhavan said adding that the writ jurisdictions of a court extended only to the government and public sector units and the BCCI was only a private body. Disclosing this, Muthiah said that the five players held guilty by CBI have been asked to appear. It is not exactly a summons, said Madhavan adding that the players in their own interest should be present. The players still could appeal at a higher court, should the judgement go against them, said Madhavan. Muthiah said there is no going back to his earlier stand that the guilty will face a life ban if the findings warranted for such a stringent punishment. ‘‘We don’t want to delay action for it will have a demoralising effect.’’ Muthiah released the BCCI’s statement on Justice Chandrachud enquiry into alleged match fixing charges. ‘‘No fees/perquisites were paid or reimbursed to him for his job, as desired by him. He was appointed on June 20, 1997 to conduct the enquiry and the report was submitted to BCCI on Nov 17, 1997 at Mumbaiâ€. Madhavan was alert in not allowing himself to be caught on the wrong foot and always maintained that ’whatever the manner you put the questions, my job has been over with handing over the report to Mr Muthiah’. Muthiah said ’the report has been given to him only now and he has to study it. I cannot prejudge anything’, he said.
