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BCCI CEO Rahul Johri speaks to suspended players Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul

BCCI office-bearers seconded Edulji and demanded a Special General Meeting to discuss the matter.

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri speaks to suspended players Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul (Photo: Video grab)

Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri collected the statements of suspended India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul on Tuesday, starting the inquiry into their much-condemned remarks during a television talk show, Koffee with Karan.

It is learnt that both Rahul and Pandya have spoken to Rahul Johri via phone after having tendered their apologies to BCCI in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the board.

“The CEO spoke to them via telephone. However, his brief was simple as the inquiry initiator. He has to just collate whatever they have written in their show cause reply. He is expected to submit his report to CoA by tomorrow,” a BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI.

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However, as per the report, Rahul Johri did not ask the duo whether their agents pressurised them into attending the show and speaking in the manner that they did.

“Any investigative question is the purview of the ombudsman. Now the next phase will only happen if the SC appoints an ombudsman or an ad hoc ombudsman is appointed,” said the official.

Both Rahul and Pandya were suspended with immediate effect by BCCI after the outrage on social media for their “sexist” and “misogynist” remark on KWK.

Following the controversy, CoA chief Vinod Rai recommended a two-match ban on Rahul and Pandya. However, Rai’s colleague Diana Edulji took the matter to the BCCI legal cell, which recommended the appointment of an ombudsman as they refused to call the players’ actions a violation of the code of conduct.

Even BCCI office-bearers seconded Edulji and demanded a Special General Meeting to discuss the matter.

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