<p>ICC CEO Manu Sawhney, who has been suspended by the International Cricket Council on allegations of misconduct, has termed the governing body's probe against him as a "premeditated witch-hunt".</p>.<p>Sawhney was sent on "leave" in March after his conduct came under the scanner during an internal investigation by audit firm PWC.</p>.<p>"It is abundantly clear to me, as it would be to any reasonable person or bystander, that I am the victim of a premeditated witch-hunt. All pretence at undertaking a fair process or giving me a fair hearing has been completely abandoned.</p>.<p>"There has been no attempt to comply with the ICC's internal policies or even basic principles of natural justice," Sawhney was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/icc-ceo-manu-sawhney-sent-on-leave-for-abrasive-conduct-with-colleagues-may-resign-before-term-ends-960364.html" target="_blank">ICC CEO Manu Sawhney sent on 'leave' for 'abrasive' conduct with colleagues; may resign before term ends</a></strong></p>.<p>Sawhney had responded to the allegations in a disciplinary hearing held on June 17.</p>.<p>He had come under scrutiny for alleged abrasive behaviour with his colleagues and authoritarian style of functioning.</p>.<p>"These allegations have been based completely on anonymous statements which no one has made any attempt to verify or investigate. On the basis of our bullet points, I could potentially lose my livelihood and my reputation. Frankly, the whole situation is nothing short of a scandal.</p>.<p>"Nevertheless, I believe it is crucially important for my own integrity, and that of the ICC, that I resist this blatant attempt to force me from office, which would set an extremely dangerous precedent.</p>.<p>"I am also determined to ensure that the significant achievements of the ICC during my tenure are not airbrushed out of history. I will also exercise my right to appeal any guilty decision to the board, in accordance with paragraph 7 of the ICC's disciplinary policy and clause 17.4 of my employment contract."</p>.<p>Sawhney has also questioned the PWC report.</p>.<p>"The PWC report expressly states that its objective was to understand and assess the current culture and underlying organisational behaviours within the ICC.</p>.<p>"The PWC report is therefore the product of a generic assessment of workplace culture, it is not a product of a thorough disciplinary investigation that adheres to the basic rules of evidence. In other words, the exercise undertaken by the PWC should not be confused with a proper disciplinary investigation," said the Indian.</p>.<p>Sawhney is a former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and also served as Managing Director of ESPN Star Sports, a company he worked with for 17 years.</p>
<p>ICC CEO Manu Sawhney, who has been suspended by the International Cricket Council on allegations of misconduct, has termed the governing body's probe against him as a "premeditated witch-hunt".</p>.<p>Sawhney was sent on "leave" in March after his conduct came under the scanner during an internal investigation by audit firm PWC.</p>.<p>"It is abundantly clear to me, as it would be to any reasonable person or bystander, that I am the victim of a premeditated witch-hunt. All pretence at undertaking a fair process or giving me a fair hearing has been completely abandoned.</p>.<p>"There has been no attempt to comply with the ICC's internal policies or even basic principles of natural justice," Sawhney was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/icc-ceo-manu-sawhney-sent-on-leave-for-abrasive-conduct-with-colleagues-may-resign-before-term-ends-960364.html" target="_blank">ICC CEO Manu Sawhney sent on 'leave' for 'abrasive' conduct with colleagues; may resign before term ends</a></strong></p>.<p>Sawhney had responded to the allegations in a disciplinary hearing held on June 17.</p>.<p>He had come under scrutiny for alleged abrasive behaviour with his colleagues and authoritarian style of functioning.</p>.<p>"These allegations have been based completely on anonymous statements which no one has made any attempt to verify or investigate. On the basis of our bullet points, I could potentially lose my livelihood and my reputation. Frankly, the whole situation is nothing short of a scandal.</p>.<p>"Nevertheless, I believe it is crucially important for my own integrity, and that of the ICC, that I resist this blatant attempt to force me from office, which would set an extremely dangerous precedent.</p>.<p>"I am also determined to ensure that the significant achievements of the ICC during my tenure are not airbrushed out of history. I will also exercise my right to appeal any guilty decision to the board, in accordance with paragraph 7 of the ICC's disciplinary policy and clause 17.4 of my employment contract."</p>.<p>Sawhney has also questioned the PWC report.</p>.<p>"The PWC report expressly states that its objective was to understand and assess the current culture and underlying organisational behaviours within the ICC.</p>.<p>"The PWC report is therefore the product of a generic assessment of workplace culture, it is not a product of a thorough disciplinary investigation that adheres to the basic rules of evidence. In other words, the exercise undertaken by the PWC should not be confused with a proper disciplinary investigation," said the Indian.</p>.<p>Sawhney is a former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and also served as Managing Director of ESPN Star Sports, a company he worked with for 17 years.</p>