Bombay High Court wants to see if IPL is in the spirit of cricket

The Bombay High Court has made some harsh comments on the Indian Premier League earlier today. The recent allegations that the IPL violated foreign exchange rules during the 2009 edition have only added to the misgivings that the general public has about the glamorous league.

Lalit Modi was the chief architect of the IPL back in 2008, with the controversial man being the primary force behind the success of the event.

Modi was front and center during the initial years of the IPL, as the chairman of one of the most valuable sports leagues in the world was instrumental in putting it on the world map.

Back in 2009, there were doubts over the league taking place in India, as the general elections clashed with the tournament, prompting security concerns at the venues.

Lalit Modi then took charge, and shifted the tournament to South Africa on extremely short notice. The success was overwhelming in the rainbow nation, as people marveled at the genius of Lalit Modi.

But now we learn that there were several protocols that may have been broken in the process, most notably some foreign exchange regulations.

This is what the Bombay HC had to say,

“If IPL has led to serious violations then it is high time the organisers realise whether what has been achieved by conducting the tournament since the past ten years can be termed as a sport or game…for it is full of illegalities and breaches of law,” the court said.

“IPL has made us familiar with phrases like betting and fixing of matches. It is for the central government, RBI and organisers to now consider if conducting IPL is in interest of the game/sport,” the court said in its order.

“We direct the adjudicating authority to issue summons to the witnesses to appear before it on March 2. The cross- examination shall be concluded positively by March 13. The proceedings shall be completed by May 31,” the court directed.