Modi is facing corruption charges and was served a show-cause notice by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on April 25.
Bindra, a former BCCI president, said he was not defending Modi and attacked BCCI officials for leaking information to media.
“I would like to make it abundantly clear that I hold no brief on behalf of Modi. I am not going to prejudge the issue and in accordance with the constitutional and principles of jurisprudence enshrined in our democratic fabric, I will refuse to hold anyone guilty before giving a fair opportunity.
“Let us not forget that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. I can opine with conviction that part of the blame lies with our own cricketing fraternity for being an instrument in leaking all kinds of unconfirmed reports without veracity or merit,” he said.
The ICC’s principal advisor also lashed out at the media, saying it ignored the other important aspects of the league and presented Modi as a villain. “The media has been ready with the guillotine to hang the hero of the IPL. He has been accused of various things based on unsubstantiated evidence.”
(Published 29 April 2010, 17:10 IST)