Mumbai: Mohammed Shami finally has something to cheer about after he was cleared by the BCCI of match-fixing charges alleged against him by wife Hasin Jahan. Jahan had earlier accused the Indian pacer of taking an undisclosed amount of money from a Pakistani woman.
He would now be offered a Grade B contract by the Indian board and would now also be able to participate in the upcoming edition of the IPL.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India appointed Committee of Administrators(CoA) had requested Mr Neeraj Kumar, former Police Commissioner of Delhi and Head of BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit, to investigate the allegations against Mohd. Shami in so far as they pertain to the provisions of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code,” said the BCCI, in a media release.
It also stated, “Mr Neeraj Kumar has submitted his confidential report to the CoA. Based on the conclusions in the said report, the CoA is of the view that no further actions/proceedings under the BCCI anti-corruption code are warranted in the matter.
“For this reason, the BCCI shall proceed with offering a Grade ‘B’ annual retainership contract to Mohd. Shami.”
The BCCI, earlier had decided to withhold Shami’s contract after he was hit by allegations of domestic violence and match-fixing by wife Jahan, who had also filed a complaint against him. The 28-year-old Shami however, maintained that he was innocent all throughout.
The top officials in the BCCI had made it clear that it wouldn’t intervene in any matter pertaining to Shami’s personal life. Instead these issues were investigated into by the Kolkata police.
BCCI’s acting president CK Khanna felt that the corruption charges levelled against Shami by his wife were too ‘far-fetched.’
“This is a very good news for Shami and for Indian cricket. The charges of corruption against him looked too far-fetched. He has been a committed player for India. The BCCI is happy that he has come clean after a thorough investigation by its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). It is only fair that he can now earn his livelihood as a professional cricketer and should be back in the field for the upcoming IPL,” he said.
Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua was also pleased with this decision of the BCCI, given the fact that the right-arm pacer is an important part of their bowling setup for the tournament.
“I have just received the confirmation from the BCCI that Shami has been absolved of all charges related to corruption allegations. It’s a welcome news for the franchise and we are happy to have him back. We expect him to join the camp from the very first day,” he said.
Dua further added, “When it came to corruption charges, we never had an iota of doubt that Shami is innocent. He is an honest cricketer and would have never done any such thing. We even spoke to Shami during this period. But we also have to follow the instructions of BCCI. It was only fair that the matter was investigated and he has come out clean.”