N Srinivasan
N SrinivasanReuters

In a surprise twist to the IPL spot-fixing probe, the Mudgal Committee has reportedly given a clean chit to former BCCI chief N Srinivasan in the fixing allegations.

The court-appointed panel has said in its report that there was no evidence to prove the Chennai Super Kings' owner's role in match fixing or betting, as reported by news channels.

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However, the report says that Srinivasan and three other BCCI members were in the know of the violation of the player's code of conduct but no action was taken.

The report indicts Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan for being involved in illegal betting but does not have evidence against him in spot-fixing. It has recognized Meiyappan as an official of the Chennai Super Kings, rubbishing his defence that he was only a cricket enthusiast. 

The report also goes on to indict Rajasthan Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra of being in touch with bookies.

It further says that IPL COO Sundar Raman himself was in collaboration with bookies and had contacted bookies eight times in one season of the cricketing tournament.

Some details of the Justice Mudgal committee report on the murky spot-fixing case that marred the Indian Premier League in 2013 were made public by the Supreme Court on Monday. 

Last Friday, the apex court had disclosed seven names being probed, including that of Chennai Super Kings' owner N Srinivasan, his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra.

Justice Mukul Mudgal, whose panel also comprised former India captain Sourav Ganguly, had conducted an investigation into the allegations of spot-fixing during the IPL 6 matches, and probed 12 prominent players as well as Srinivasan.

The fixing issue had embroiled Srinivasan, former BCCI chief, who had to step down following the controversy, while CSK captain MS Dhoni was also entangled in the issue.

The hearing was adjourned to 24 November. The apex court had also put on hold the 20 November BCCI meeting, in which Srinivasan had hoped to be re-elected as the head.

The BCCI election may now go as per schedule, paving the way for the return of Srinivasan.