Quite happy with ruling: Srinivasan

N Srinivasan was “quite happy” after the Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed him to take charge as BCCI President and said the Cricket Board “needs somebody” to run it.

“I think the Supreme Court has said I can resume functioning and discharge my functions. So I am quite happy because BCCI needs somebody,” Srinivasan told reporters after the ruling.

The apex court also set up a probe panel headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal to inquire into the allegation of betting and spot-fixing in IPL.

The Tamil Nadu strongman did not seem too concerned with a new committee being formed. “I have no comment on the new committee, Supreme Court has directly formed it. I have not been a part of it. I have nothing to do with it,” he said.

The court has asked the probe panel to complete its inquiry within four months. The apex court also directed BCCI and Srinivasan not to interfere in the probe. The committee will investigate Gurunath Meiyappan and owners of Rajasthan Royals and file a report on erring IPL franchisees, it said.

The SC ruled that Srinivasan can resume his duties, so long as he doesn’t deal with any matters relating to the IPL.

Senior advocate and additional solicitor general N Nageshwar Rao and Assam Cricket Association (ACA) member Nilay Dutta are the other two members of the newly-formed probe committee.

Asked what would be his first task after taking over, Srinivasan refused to divulge anything. “I will tell you about it later,” was all he said.

The senior office-bearers welcomed the Supreme Court’s order. “We have always respected the observations and orders of the apex court. We had complete faith in the judiciary. The BCCI accepts the court order with utmost humility. We are happy that Mr Srinivasan will be able to perform his presidential duties,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said.

“Mr Srinivasan had recused himself from the day to day activities of the BCCI and not for once did the Board break any rules,” Patel added.