New Delhi, The Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Thursday lifted the interim suspension against Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who were suspended after they made an appearance on Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan, over misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

The suspensions of Pandya and Rahul have been lifted with immediate effect, pending the appointment and adjudication of allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman. The decision was taken after consulting with new BCCI amicus PS Narsimha.

‘Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated January 11, 2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect,’ the CoA said in a statement here.

“The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, PS Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated January 11, 2019 is immediately lifted, pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman,” the statement added.

Both Pandya and Rahul were suspended and asked to return home from the tour of Australia after their sexist comments shocked India.

Earlier, CoA Chairman Vinod Rai had recommended that Hardik and Rahul be barred from two ODI matches, however, former Indian woman captain and CoA member Diana Edulji, after taking advice of BCCI Legal Cell, recommended that both players should be informed about their suspension.

Hardik and Rahul have been suspended for the Sydney ODI, beginning from Saturday. Pandya has apologised for the incident, but CoA is firm on their stand and have been suspended, pending inquiry.

The recommendation has the support of Ms Edulji and BCCI’s Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary.Ms Edulji also cited an example of BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, who was asked to go on leave, following sexual allegations.

After Vinod Rai’s proposal of two match ban against both Hardik and Rahul, Ms Edulji sent the matter to the BCCI Legal Cell, however, Amarchand Mangaldas of Legal Firm Cyril said that Pandya did not violate the BCCI’s Code of Conduct, as his comments were not against any player, match official or support staff.

However, one of the BCCI official said as per the new BCCI constitution, the power to sanction players for indiscipline or misconduct is to rest with the BCCI’s Apex Council.