Former Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary C Nagaraj has criticised the Board's decision to suspend Abhijit Kale, saying the selection scandal cannot be "one-way traffic".
"The Board's decision without proper inquiry is uncalled for and hasty. It is hard to believe that Kale offered a bribe," C Nagaraj said in Bangalore on Wednesday.
"The cricketer's version must also be believed."
Nagaraj was the BCCI joint-secretary from 1985 to 1990 and 1991 to 1993. He was also secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association from 1978 to 1998.
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He criticised the selectors for submitting a report to the BCCI, which subsequently made it public.
"The move has opened a pandora's box with all kinds of allegations being made now, which is not good for cricket. Instead, both parties -- the two selectors and Kale should have been made to depose in-camera," Nagaraj said.
National selectors Pranab Roy (East Zone) and Kiran More (West Zone) have alleged that Kale offered them Rs 10 lakh [approximately US $22,000] each to be selected in the India team.
The veteran administrator denied coming across instances of bribery during his tenure as BCCI secretary.
"There were certainly allegations of favouritism and pressure from all quarters but we could withstand those pressures."
He called for an end to the practice of having five zonal selectors.
"It is absolutely time such a practice is given up. One must go for three national selectors who are men of integrity, high standard and above suspicion.
"Otherwise, the English model can also be looked at where the selectors are professionals who are bound to pick the best team as they are responsible for its performance and are accountable."
