CSK approach Madras High court against IPL suspension

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has approached the Madras High Court, challenging the decision of the RM Lodha Committee in relation to the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing and betting controversy.

CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were suspended for two years by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha panel as punishment for betting activities of their key officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra during the 2013 season. In an affidavit, CSK sought a stay on the decision, alleging that the Lodha panel's July 14 order is against the fundamental principles of natural justice and fair hearing.

"The refusal of the Justice Lodha Commission to enter into the dispute of whether the Franchise (CSK), its owner India Cements Ltd, were guilty of violating Clause 4.1.1 of the IPL operational rules has led to grave miscarriage of justice," said the company in its affidavit.

"The Justice Lodha Committee had failed to note that the very reason for appointing a high level committee comprising former judges of the apex court was that they could look into the findings of the Mudgal committee. The SC had categorically held they were not sitting in appeal over the findings of the Mudgal committee nor were they inclined to look into the materials which were placed before the said committee. The Lodha committee always had the authority to call for the material forming the basis of the justice Mudgal committee reports as observed the apex court in its recent order dated 7.8.2015," it said.