Suspended IPL Commissioner, Mr Lalit Modi, will have to face the music if he is found guilty of corruption, according to ICC President, Mr Sharad Pawar, who on Sunday made it clear that there was no question of "protecting" his one-time protege.
Mr Pawar said the recent corruption scandal has tarnished the image of IPL to some extent and Mr Modi was paying the price for his controversial style of functioning which had not gone down well with the BCCI's top brass.
Asked specifically if he would protect Modi in case he is found guilty of financial irregularities in running the IPL, Mr Pawar said: "No question of protecting anybody. Not only Mr Modi but anybody. If somebody has committed some mistake he will have to face the music".
Mr Pawar, who took over as ICC President from Englishman, Mr David Morganm, earlier this month, said Mr Modi should be given credit for making IPL a global brand but his style of functioning was the problem.
"IPL, the product has been a success in this country. It has established that India can also organise such things and there he (Modi) has taken lots of pain there is no two opinion about that. If somebody has contributed one has also to accept that contribution," he said.
"But his style of functioning has become controversial and the present Board feels they should go in-depth (probe). The Board has deputed a committee and let us see what is the outcome. From what I know of BCCI it will take an appropriate decision and take steps to improve their functioning and image," Mr Pawar pointed out.
Asked whether Mr Modi has been treated fairly by the BCCI, Mr Pawar said, "I am confident that he has to be given a fair trial. But I can't interfere either way."
The former BCCI chief denied that he was supporting Mr Modi in the IPL scandal.
"All of us — myself, Modi and Manohar — have worked together as a group and have contributed something. But the present set-up feels something has gone wrong. So until these (wrongdoings) are not established, it is not proper for me to support or oppose one against the other. Basically I am keeping away from all agriculture minister.
He said even if the BCCI fails to take satisfactory steps to clear the IPL mess, the ICC cannot interfere as it relates to a domestic tournament.
"Under its constitution, ICC has no authority to interfere in functioning of any member country. ICC will not interfere in their domestic tournaments," he said.