Srini keeps mum, weighs options

 BCCI president N Srinivasan is exploring various legal options though he continued to remain mum on the Supreme Court observation that he should step down from his post for a fair probe into the IPL fixing scandal.

The beleaguered Srinivasan, who underwent a cataract surgery on Wednesday, had a series of meetings with legal experts during the day though no official word as to what he plans to do has come out yet.

The Supreme Court, which had asked the BCCI chief as to why he was sticking to the chair, had wanted Srinivasan to quit on his own. It said if Srinivasan refused to quit, they will pass an order for his removal.

Srinivasan’s legal counsel P S Raman met him at his residence but declined to speak on the issue. “He (Srinivasan) had a cataract operation this morning. I have come to meet him because of that. It is only a courtesy call,” Raman told reporters.

When asked whether Srinivasan was contemplating stepping down in view of the Supreme Court observation, he refused to comment. Srinivasan’s continued silence has set off speculation that he may not resign immediately but may wait for the hearing to resume on Thursday before taking a final decision. Seeking a review is one of the options available to him.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, who was in the United Arab Emirates to attend Asian Cricket Council meeting and also oversee the arrangements for the upcoming Indian Premier League, has cut short his visit and is expected to reach Chennai on Thursday morning. Patel is scheduled to meet Srinivasan to decide the future course of action.

Meanwhile, former BCCI president Shashank Manohar called for the suspension of the IPL till a thorough probe by the CBI nails the culprits and cleans up the game.

Manohar was also critical of the decision to stage a part of the 2014 IPL in the UAE next month, which he says “will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament”.

“The Supreme Court’s observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the (Mudgal panel) report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted,” he said.

“Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPL should be suspended,” Manohar was quoted as saying by ‘Cricinfo’.