CoA provisionally lifts suspension on Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul

The indefinite suspension on KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, following their sexist comments on Koffee With Karan earlier this month, has been provisionally lifted, the CoA said in its press release on Thursday. 

Both Hardik and Rahul were removed from India's squad for the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand in the aftermath of the controversy, with the CoA deciding to bring them back to India until further notice. Though, the recent notification means that the duo will be available for team selection with immediate effect.

Following is the press release issued by the CoA:

The Committee of Administrators (“CoA”) had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Mr. Hardik Pandya and Mr. K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution.

Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect.

The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. P.S. Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman.

Further, the recent notification states that they are eligible to represent the national team until the time a BCCI Ombudsman is appointed and he/she decides on the action, if needed, to be taken against them.

The duo, while appearing on the reality show hosted by Bollywood director/producer Karan Johan, had made some unpleasant remarks, which drew them the ire of social media. 

After the controversy became big, the Indian cricket authorities took cognizance of the matter, and issued show cause notices to both the players. The duo responded, and Pandya even apologised for his actions on social media, but the authorities felt it wasn't enough, following which they were immediately removed from India's squad and suspended till further notice.