BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain has asked cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul to pay a sum of Rs 1 lakh each, to widows of 10 constables in paramilitary forces who have lost their lives on duty. They have also been asked to deposit Rs 10 lakh each in the fund created for promotion of cricket for the blind as fine for their misconduct on the celebrity chat show Koffee With Karan in January.
In a report accessed by Baidurjo Bhose of IANS, the ombudsman has also said that if both the players fail to do so within four weeks from the date of the receipt of the order, the Board of Control for Cricket in India might deduct the said amount from the match fees payable to the players.
The ombudsman noted that the players had already missed out on earning of about Rs 30 lakh as they had been sent back from the tour of Australia. But he also noted that cricketers in the country are role models and their act should be befitting the status they have acquired.
The ombudsman added that since both the players apologised and did not contest the action initiated against them, it is unnecessary to return a categorical finding as to whether the remarks made during the course of the chat show constitutes as an act of indiscipline or misconduct or violation of any of Rules and Regulations on part of players as contemplated under Rule 41 (1) (c) of the rules.
The duo had appeared on an episode of the show which aired on January 6, and had drawn ire after Hardik made sexist, misogynistic and racist comments on the show. While KL Rahul does not seem to have made such statements himself on the episode, he did not counter Hardik either. In the aftermath of the same, they had faced suspension from the BCCI, which was subsequently lifted and an ombudsman was appointed to look into the matter.
The incident had also made BCCI consider introducing behavioural counselling for Indian cricketers. The Board had also mulling barring players from any interviews unless they were cricket related.
Hardik and KL Rahul will now be representing the country in the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales with the rest of the team as the national selectors have picked the duo in the 15-member squad.
(with IANS inputs)