The team India rejoiced on Tuesday when the Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh was cleared of having uttered racial slur against Australia’s only black player Andrew Symonds.
Justice John Hansen after acquitting Bhajji said that the later has been laid off because of lack of evidence. As there is no footage of Harbhajan uttering those words after the sound from the stump microphones was digitally separated from all other noise.
Acting on the joint statement by Australian and Indian players Justice Hansen reduced Harbhajan’s sentence from Section 3.3, which is using the language or gestures that offend insult or vilify other person on the basis of his race or ethnic origin to lesser offence under 2.8 which involves using a language that is obscene, offensive or seriously insulting nature but not racist. Harbhajan was robbed of with his 50% of match fee as a fine.
Meanwhile when the case was slated to be reheard, Indian players showing solidarity with Harbhajan decided to call off the remaining matches if in case the off spinner is banned for three matches as imposed by the match referee Mike Procter.
But things get different turn, it is reported that after the Australian players were told by their lawyer that in a fair appeals process the racism charges would not stand as there was no enough evidence there was enough of change in the tone and attitude.
Hansen told media after five hours of proceeding at the Federal Court that Harbhajan and Symonds have amicably solved their issues and Australia is no longer bringing the charges of racial abuse against the former.
Hailing the decision as a victory of cricket Anil Kumble said, “I am happy and relieved not only for Harbhajan but also for cricket.”
But after the news of the truce became public reports that Cricket Australia and Board of Cricket Control of India went into deal to reduce the charges.
Also that CA has bent itself to BCCI’s money power; even Justice Hansen judgement was questioned.
Which Hansen refuted saying, “I have not felt under any pressure because of such media reports and I would never be influenced or succumb to such pressure, real or imagined.”
“It is incorrect to suggest that there was some sort of an agreement reached between Australian and Indian cricket authorities that I simply rubber-stamped,” he added.
BCCI too has cleared of the air that no money power was used to influence the verdict.
At the end though it is able to inflict smile on Indian side but Australian media is full of reports that undermined the judgement.
Since Sidney Test this charge against Bhajji was haunting Indian players but to some extent this decision has brought relief in Indian camp who are ready to take on Australia at T20 Match at Melbourne on February 3.
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