The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today banned Ajit Chandila for life and Hiken Shah for five years. Chandila was charged with match-fixing after being arrested along with two other cricketers and seven bookmakers over allegations of spot-fixing. S. Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan, the two other cricketers who were arrested, have already been banned for life by the BCCI over their involvement in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing case. Shah was suspended by the BCCI in July for making a ‘corrupt approach’ to a colleague, who reported him.

Chandila was found guilty of breaching Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.4; 2.2.2; 2.2.3; and 2.4.1 of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code. Shah was found guilty of breaching Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 of the Code. ‘Ajit Chandila is banned for Life from playing or representing cricket in any form or to be associated in any way with the activities of the Board or its Affiliates’, read a BCCI statement. ‘Hiken Shah is banned for five years from playing or representing cricket in any form or to be associated in any way with the activities of the Board or its Affiliates’.

The hearing of umpire and former cricketer Asad Rauf, who is under investigation due to allegations that he was involved in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case, was also scheduled for today. ‘He did not appear in person, but sent a reply stating that no fair enquiry has been conducted in his matter and hence a de novo enquiry be held by appointing another enquiry officer’, continued the BCCI’s statement. ‘The said request was rejected by the Disciplinary Committee. The Committee gave him a final opportunity to submit his written statement if any, and produce documents on which he proposes to rely on before February 9, 2016. The date of the hearing and the final order has been scheduled for February 12, 2016 at Cricket Centre, Mumbai.’

Former Chief Justice of India, R.M. Lodha, submitted his report on reforming the BCCI on 5 January. It is understood that the report recommended the legalisation of betting on cricket in India, as well as suggesting that match and spot fixing be made criminal offences.