BCCI files appeal against Kerala HC’s decision of lifting life ban on Sreesanth

Kerala [India]: The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) on Monday filed an appeal against the Kerala High Court against lifting lifetime ban imposed on tainted pacer S. Sreesanth. While filing the appeal, the BCCI said that that the High Court’s decision was contrary to the existing norms. In August, the Kerala High Court lifted the lifetime-ban imposed on Sreesanth by the BCCI in connection with the spot-fixing case. Sreesanth was one of those charged for spot-fixing during the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2013. In September 2013, the disciplinary committee of the BCCI gave him a life ban from the sport, effectively ending his career. However, a Delhi Sessions court in 2015 had exonerated him in the spot-fixing case registered by the Delhi Police, which invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA). The BCCI had earlier in April this year rejected Sreesanth’s plea for a review of his life ban, saying it will not compromise on its zero tolerance policy towards corruption. The country’s cricket board had also informed the Kerala High Court that a criminal court exonerating Sreesanth of spot-fixing charges was not enough to lift the lifetime ban on him. After Sreesanth approached the Kerala High Court in March this year with a petition seeking the lifting of his ban, the court had asked him to file a review plea before the BCCI. The BCCI, though, remained adamant and had earlier refused to grant Sreesanth a ‘no objection certificate’ for playing in Scotland which led him to launch a scathing attack on the board. (ANI)