Singh's slap leads to inquiry

2008-05-09 18:21

New Delhi - Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh appeared before an inquiry commissioner on Friday investigating his slapping of a rival player during a domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Singh was summoned to the western city of Ahmadabad to give his version to Sudhir Nanavati, the probe commissioner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Nanavati is to submit his report to the Indian cricket board if disciplinary action should be taken against Singh, who has already been banned from a lucrative Twenty20 tournament after slapping his national teammate Shantakumarn Sreesanth during an onfield row.

Supportive during inquiry

Sreesanth, who was playing for the opposing team when the incident took place last month, also appeared before the commissioner on Friday to give his version of events.

Press Trust of India quoted Nanavati as saying that both Singh and Sreesanth were supportive during the inquiry proceedings.

"I have all the evidence that I need to prepare the report," PTI quoted Nanavati as saying after the hearing.

Nanavati said the inquiry report would be submitted to the cricket board on Monday.

Beside the tournament ban, the cricket board may take further disciplinary action against Singh, who is its contracted player.

Team coach fined

Charged with violating the players' code of conduct, Singh was fined his entire fee from the match during which the unsavoury incident occurred. He will also lose a substantial part of his contract of $850 000 for the 46-day event.

Team coach Lalchand Rajput was fined 50% of his match fee for not stopping Singh's attack, while Sreesanth was cautioned.

Earlier this year, Singh was at the centre of controversy during a Test series against Australia. He was initially banned for three Tests for allegedly making racist remarks against Australia allrounder Andrew Symonds. An appeal was upheld and his punishment reduced to a fine.

- AP