Meiyappan, Kundra banned for life; CSK, RR suspended for two years

NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court-appointed panel suspended ICC chief Narayanaswami Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra from any type of cricket matches for life after they were found guilty of betting in the Indian Premier League, Indian media reported on Tuesday.

According to Indian media, former champions Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were also suspended from the IPL for two years as the court presented its verdict on the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal.

"He (Meiyappan) is found guilty of betting, his conduct affected image of BCCI, the (T20) league and the game," justice RM Lodha, who is heading the probe panel, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"Raj Kundra was placing bets through a known punter and was constantly in touch with bookies," Lodha added. "Rajasthan Royals have damaged the faith of BCCI and the sport, Mr. Raj Kundra is found guilty of misconduct," he said.

Lodha was appointed head of the sentencing panel in January after the Supreme Court had found Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra and CSK's Meiyappan guilty of betting on the outcome of matches in 2013.

The apex court had held that the allegation of betting against Meiyappan and Kundra stood proved and set up the three-member committee of its retired judges to determine the punishment for Meiyappan, who was the CSK team Principal and Kundra.

The 2013 IPL season was mired in controversy after police launched legal proceedings against several officials and cricketers, including former Test fast bowler S Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.

The hugely popular Chennai Super Kings are also the most successful team in the IPL, having won the tournament in 2010 and 2011, and finished runners-up in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural event in 2008 under the captaincy of Australian spin legend Shane Warne, but have failed to make the final since then.