IPL betting verdict : Raj Kundra, Meiyappan banned for life; CSK and RR suspended for two years

Meyappan is the son-in-law of the controversial former BCCI chief N Srinivasan.

In what could take out the sheen more out of the glamourous and tumultuously popular IPL, the three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge RM Lodha also suspended two-time premier league champions Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, winners of the maiden version of the cash-rich league.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also the skipper of CSK.

While delivering its historic verdict, the Supreme Court-appointed panel found Kundra and Meiyappan guilty of having placed bets through known punters that brought disrepute to the game of cricket  and said Meiyappan's passion for the game is questionable.

According to the panel, both Meiyappan and Kundra damaged the faith the people in the sport, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL.

The panel said both  Meiyappan and Kundra, who is the husband of actor Shilpa Shetty, had violated the anti-corruption code by betting regularly. "The purity of the game has been affected by the actions of India Cements and CSK. Fans have been cheated," said Justice Lodha.

"The fact that Meiyappan was integral part of CSK, he ought not to have indulged in corrupt practices. Any person who has true passion for the game will never be involved in betting. Gurunath has not only indulged in betting but he has brought disrepute to cricket & the IPL. Being the face if franchise, Gurunath's actions reflects on the owners India Cements," the judge remarked.

"Gurunath Meiyappan acted in violation of IPL laws. It is evident from the decision of SC that matter is serious. India Cements did not take any action against Meiyappan," he added.

Justice Lodha said it is for the Board of Control for Cricket in India or BCCI to take a decision on  whether Chennai Super Kings or Rajasthan Royals will be bought by another franchise.

Earlier, a commission appointed by then BCCI chief N Srinivasan had given Meiyappan and Raj Kundra a clean chit, saying there was no evidence of wrong doing against them.

The BCCI panel's decision was challenged by Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma in the Bombay High Court. Srinivasan was charged with shielding his son-in-law and others.

In July 2013, the Bombay High Court found the BCCI probe panel illegal and said the report was null and void.

In August 2013, the BCCI moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order. In October, the apex court appointed the three-member Justice Mukul Mudgal committee to investigate, but not impose punishment.

The Mudgal panel submitted its report in February, 2014. It said  Meiyappan was the face of CSK and was involved in betting and sharing team information. It also said  Kundra participated in betting.

In January this year, the court set up the Lodha committee to determine amount of punishment for them and their teams.

In March, the panel issued showcause notices to Meiyappan and Kundra seeking their reply on the quantum of punishment.