New Delhi: The BCCI today appointed advocate Sudhir Nanavati as Commissioner to conduct a preliminary inquiry into Harbhajan Singh's alleged slapping of India teammate and IPL rival S Sreesanth.

"As per the constitution, BCCI has appointed Sudhir Nanavati, Advocate, Ahmedabad as Commissioner to make preliminary inquiry and call for explanation from the concerned person(s) and submit his report within 15 days to BCCI President Sharad Pawar to look into the matter of disciplinary action against Harbhajan Singh," the Cricket Board said in a statement here.

Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth after his team Kings XI Punjab beat the Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match in Mohali.

The BCCI statement issued by secretary Niranjan Shah said after Pawar goes through the report, he will refer it to the board's disciplinary committee.

"On receipt of the report, the president will refer the same to Disciplinary Committee," the statement said.

Harbhajan will appear before an IPL disciplinary hearing to be conducted by match referee Farokh Engineer here today and having already admitted to getting physical with Sreesanth, the temperamental bowler faces the risk of being banned for a few matches.

Slapping a fellow player constitutes a Level 4 offence as per the ICC Code of Conduct and could lead to a maximum punishment of a life ban or a minimum of five Tests or 10 ODIs.

While Harbhajan is likely to be banned with cameras catching the incident, Sreesanth may also be reprimanded for allegedly provoking the off-spinner.

Source : PTI