New Delhi:
Even as BCCI chief N Srinivasan remains defiant and says he will not quit over betting allegations in the IPL against his son-in-law, comes the strongest attack against him. NCP chief and former BCCI President Sharad Pawar today said "This nonsense wouldn't have happened if I was the board president."
Here are the latest developments in the story:
Mr Pawar, who was the BCCI chief from 2005 to 2008, said he feels sad at what is happening and that the case should go to the Home Ministry. "The entire issue should be referred to the Home Ministry and the Home Ministry should do a review of all the IPL matches. They should assess what is the truth and what is not. There is already an investigation going on by Delhi Police. As Shashank Manohar has said let one agency handle all of it," he said.
This morning, board members Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley reportedly asked Mr Srinivasan to "stay away" from the activities of the cricket board till a three-member panel completes its investigation into the IPL scandal. For Mr Srinivasan, however, it continued to be business as usual.
Sources say the two leaders asked Mr Srinivasan not to attend BCCI meetings and events till the spot-fixing probe is on. But the BCCI boss defied the suggestion and 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, he clarified that he had suggested that Mr Srinivasan should "dissociate" himself form the probe.
Emboldened by that statement, Mr Srinivasan told reporters that Mr Shukla had only reiterated what he had said before - that he won't be part of the panel that will probe the allegations against his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. (Full coverage)
Mr 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 insists 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. Sports Minister Jitender Singh is the latest to join the chorus. He has said the BCCI chief must resign "on moral grounds."
The BCCI has 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 Meiyappan. Mr Meiyappan is an "honorary member" of the Chennai Super Kings team management. Mr Srinivasan's India Cements owns the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Till some days ago, his son-in-law was listed as the owner of the team on many forums.
Meanwhile, Sreesanth's friend Abhishek Shukla was arrested today for allegedly removing evidence by hiding the cricketer's money and other articles. Mr Shukla has been taken to Mumbai for recovery of the articles.(Read)
Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar today said that they are on the brink of breakthrough of another IPL team's involvement in spot-fixing and it will happen soon. Mr Kumar also said that Sreesanth has admitted to guilt and more recoveries have been made on the basis of admission. The Police Commissioner also dismissed rumours of any turf war with Mumbai Police. (Watch)
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