IPL 2019 | BCCI Official wants action against KXIP after Ness Wadia’s drug offence

A court in Japan had sentenced Ness Wadia, the co-owner of  Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab, in jail after customs officials found 25g of "what appeared to be cannabis resin in his trouser pocket". However, the Sapporo court suspended the sentence which means that it will not be implemented unless he breaks the law for the second time in Japan. 

But a BCCI Official has reacted with a strong objection to this and has asked for strict action against KXIP. The official even gave examples of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals who were banned by the Lodha panel for two years as their owners were involved in betting.

“If they (CSK and RR) can be suspended for two years for betting related offences, this is much more serious and why change the precedent now, this has to be sent to the code of ethics committee and definite action needs to be taken against the franchise and the co-owner. There are no two rules for different franchises. The least is to ban Ness Wadia from all cricketing activities for life,” the official said, reported Times Now.

This incident could spell deep trouble for the franchise as according to the Operational Rules of the cash-rich league, no team official can act in a manner which brings disrepute to the team, the league, the BCCI or the game on or off the field. If found guilty, the person’s action can even lead to suspension of the team. The matter is likely to be sent to a committee for investigation who will then forward their report to the Ombudsman Justice (Retd.) DK Jain. 

Wadia Group, which owns the textile company Bombay Dyeing, had stated that Ness Wadia is now in India and also said that "The judgement is clear. It is a suspended sentence. Hence, it will not impact Ness Wadia in the discharge of any of his responsibilities and he will continue to play the role that he has done hitherto, both within the Group and outside.”