Maharashtra first class cricketer Abhijit Kale has been banned from playing till December 31, 2004 for trying to bribe his way into the Indian team.
The three-member disciplinary committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India unanimously held that although a strong case of offering money to the selectors was made out against Kale, "no extreme or severe punishment should be given to him in the absence of direct proof," BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who heads the committee, told reporters on Wednesday.
Dalmiya also said Kale had furnished a letter to the committee on May 15 in which he admitted trying to influence the selectors but denied having offered any money to them.
Kale said in the letter: "The entire episode has unnecessarily tarnished the image of the Board. I accept that it was wrong on my part to influence the selectors by approaching them directly or through my parents.
"With regard to the issue of offering money to the selectors, I wish to state that I was misunderstood and I assure you that I had no such intention. I tender unqualified apology for my said act."
Dalmiya said since there is "cogent proof" of Kale trying to influence the selectors directly or through his parents, which he had admitted in his letter, the disciplinary Committee "held Kale guilty of gross misconduct and indiscipline"
Taking into consideration Kale's career and his unconditional apology as well as the suspension that he had undergone since November 21, 2003, the disciplinary committee decided that he would remain suspended till December 31, 2004.
The committee also felt that the two national selectors -- Kiran More and Pranab Roy -- should have intimated the Board about Kale's attempt to influence them instead of delaying it, Dalmiya said, adding it has recommended framing of a code of conduct for the selectors.