Hardik, Rahul directed to donate INR 20 Lakh each

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Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have already missed five ODIs each as a result of a provisional ban slapped at the time © Getty

BCCI ombudsman Justice DK Jain has directed Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul to make a contribution worth INR 20 Lakh each to charity “in order to purge their collective indiscretion” on a talk show where their offensive comments made headlines. The pair has been asked to “pay INR 1 Lakh each to most-deserving widows of 10 constables each of para-military forces and to deposit Rs 10 Lakh each to a fund created for promotion of cricket among the blind” as a part of their fines.

Pandya, Rahul suspensions provisionally lifted

Hardik and Rahul have already missed five ODIs each as a result of a provisional ban slapped at the time, pending inquiry. Hardik subsequently made his comeback in the ODI series in New Zealand in January, while Rahul was drafted back into the side during the home T20Is against Australia in February. Both have been selected in India’s 15-member squad for the 2019 World Cup to be played in UK.

After the controversial episode of the aforementioned chat show was aired, Vinod Rai-led CoA took an immediate action and suspended the two cricketers from international cricket. However, in the absence of an ombudsman or an ethics officer in the BCCI, an inquiry couldn’t take place and the suspensions were subsequently lifted.

Justice Jain was handed over the case once he took charge. He issued a notice to both Hardik and Rahul on April 2 to appear before him in person. The duo appeared before Justice Jain in person on April 9 and 10, and issued their unconditional apology again.

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“Taking into consideration all these aspects, in particular that the player has tendered an apology for the incident without seeking to justify his action, has acknowledged his duty to the society and expressed his willingness to hold himself to higher standards expected of him and has missed out five ODIs; in the interest of justice and fair play, in order to purge his collective indiscretion, it would suffice if the player is directed to…” Justice Jain’s order read before listing out the two donations asked of them.