Habhajan’s case can’t be dropped abruptly, even if Australia wants
MIL/Rediff, Jan 14, 2008. IR Summary
January 14, 2008 -IR Summary - Since India extended a goodwill gesture in favor of While Brad Hogg by withdrawing charges against him, Harbhajan’s charges remain in tact till finally decided in the appeal.
Even if Australia wants to withdraw charges, it cannot do as per laws of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
According to a procedure of the ICC, once the Appeals Commissioner is appointed, the process has to be completed, it can’t be turned away in the middle, no one else is authorized to withdraw the charges at this stage, no way.
In Hogg's case, the charges of abusing the Indian players were laid by their Administrative Manager Chetan Chauhan, who later withdrew it.
That was a different stage, Mr. Chetan was legally within his rights to do it, but Harbhajan’s case is dissimilar, since both the on-field umpires had complained and the ICC appointed John Hansen as the Appeals Commission, which they can’t retreat now abruptly.
Harbhajan was banned for three-matches by Match Referee Mike Proctor who found the Indian off-spinner guilty of racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds during the second Test in Sydney.
Though Harbhajan has already filed an appeal against the ruling but he the ICC has not yet fixed the date for hearing. The hearing is likely to take place after the 4th Test.
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