BCCI asks SC not to reveal IPL players' names

The BCCI on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to ensure that the names of players in the current Indian cricket team, if any, given by Justice Mukul Mudgal committee in a sealed envelope, not be disclosed as it may harm their careers, besides damaging the image of the game.

The panel headed by former Punjab and Haryana chief justice Mukul Mudgal, has in its report identified six prominent “Indian capped” players, whose names cropped up during its investigation into the IPL spot fixing scandal.

“Speculative and baseless charges against leading cricketers have already been made by unscrupulous news channels under the guise of sting operations. Speculation is rife that the sealed cover contains some current member of the national team,” the BCCI said in an affidavit.

In response to the report, the board requested the court to take steps to stop any further damage to the image of “innocent cricketers”.

“It is further submitted that the probe committee has given certain confidential material in a sealed cover to this court. Since that material has not been verified to be true, it is most humbly submitted that the material contained in the sealed cover remain with the court and not be released to the parties,” the board said in its 33-page response to the report filed on February 10.

The apex court committee, also comprising Additional Solicitor General N Nageshwar Rao and Assam Cricket Association member Nilay Dutta, had given names of the players, whose roles are being probed, in a sealed cover.

The report said a journalist, who was apparently connected with recording tapes for a sports magazine, identified the voice of a player who is part of the current India team and played during the World Cup.

“It thus appears that names of six prominent Indian capped players are available in tapes in connection with dealings with bookies, while two of these prominent Indian capped players have also been named by none other than a former president of BCCI,” the report had said.