New Delhi:
Amid a growing clamor for BCCI chief N Srinivasan's resignation in the wake of betting allegations against his son-in-law, IPL Commissioner and cricket board member Rajeev Shukla today suggested that he should stay away from the probe till a three-member panel completes its investigation. But Mr Srinivasan seems to have defied the advice.
Here are the latest developments in the story:
Mr Shukla met BCCI disciplinary committee member Arun Jaitley at his residence this morning and told reporters, "Mr Srinivasan claims he is innocent. He is an elected president. We have told him that during the probe he should keep a distance. We are concerned about the image of the BCCI. But ultimately it is his own decision." (Watch what he said)
Sources say the two leaders asked Mr Srinivasan not to attend BCCI meetings and events till the probe is on. But defying the suggestion, the BCCI chief today held meetings at the board's office in Mumbai.
After reports of Mr Srinivasan's defiance, Mr Shukla spoke to reporters again. When asked if he meant that the BCCI chief should quit, Mr Shukla clarified that he suggested that Mr Srinivasan should "dissociate" himself form the probe.
Mr Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was arrested by the police earlier this month over charges of betting in IPL matches. He was sent to police custody till May 31 today. But the BCCI chief has so far maintained that accusations against his son-in-law are no reason for him to quit the cricket board.
Most politicians had maintained silence over the matter for very long, but voices demanding Mr Srinivasan's ouster are growing slowly now. Sport Minister Jitender Singh today said the BCCI chief must resign "on moral grounds."
Even the BCCI's treasurer, the usually cautious Ajay Shirke, admitted today that the board's image has been hit because of the controversy. Yesterday, BCCI disciplinary committee member Jyotiraditya Scindia had suggested that Mr Srinivasan must step down to ensure an impartial probe against his son-in-law. The BCCI president however brushed aside his suggestion saying "it was his own view". (Srinivasan dismisses Scindia's call for resignation)
Unlike Mr Scindia, veteran politician Farooq Abdullah had words of support for the BCCI chief. "He is an honourable man who would definitely resign if proven guilty," he said yesterday.
The BCCI yesterday announced a three-member inquiry commission to investigate spot-fixing and betting allegations that rocked the recently-concluded IPL edition. The panel will look into the charges against the three arrested Rajasthan Royals' players and also probe Mr Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. Mr Meiyappan is an "honorary member" of the Chennai Super Kings team management. Mr Srinivasan's India Cements owns the CSK. Till some days ago, his son-in-law was listed as the owner of the team on many forums.
Sources have told NDTV that the BCCI decided to probe the CSK management only after a huge uproar by Rajasthan Royals and other franchises. They also add that Mr Srinivasan has reportedly said that he will scrap the Chennai franchise if required, but won't resign.
The BCCI's probe panel consists of two retired judges - Justice T Jayaram Chouta and Justice R Balasubramanian - and BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale. Mr Srinivasan had initially said that the three-member committee will have two BCCI members and one independent member - something that was heavily criticised by the media, which questioned whether two BCCI members on a three-member committee would be able to conduct a fair and impartial probe.
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