Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being seen using a mobile phone near the dugout - an anti-corruption no-no. The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed a nominal fine of Rs 1 lakh, treating it as a first-time offence. He has also been issued a warning.
Cricbuzz @L0$ that there will be no serious sanctions against Bhinder on April 16. An official statement by the IPL confirmed the same, with Bhinder admitting to the offence and tendering an unconditional apology.
The ACSU action followed a show-cause notice and an inquiry, in which Bhinder was found to have been indiscreet in using the phone near the dugout, but with no evidence of any mala fide intent. The lapse was treated as a first-time offence, with Bhinder - who has been associated with the IPL since its inaugural season - receiving a lenient view.
The Anti-Corruption and Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules prohibit the use of mobile phones within the PMOA. While team managers are permitted access to a phone, they are allowed to make use of them only inside the dressing room.
The incident was deemed a contravention of Article 4.1.1 of the PMOA protocols. Bhinder has been warned to "exercise greater care in the future and to adhere strictly to the established guidelines."
Bhinder, who has been the Rajasthan Royals manager since 2008, has been informed that the lenient view is in light of his long experience, first-time offence, and for the situation of medical emergency. He has a documented history of serious lung issues, which he is understood to have communicated to the BCCI in advance.
The incident had taken place during Rajasthan Royals-Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) match in Guwahati on April 10. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was seen sitting beside Bhinder, has not been dragged, rightly so, into the matter.
