New Delhi:
BCCI chief N Srinivasan continues to remain defiant amid a growing clamor for his resignation over betting allegations against his son-in-law. This morning, board members Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley reportedly asked him 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.
Here are the latest developments in the story:
S 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.
The cricketer who was sent to Tihar Jail till June 4 yesterday, reportedly ate dal-chawal with the other under-trials but 'hardly slept' on his first night in jail. (Read)
Meanwhile, IPL Commissioner Rajeev Shukla met Arun Jaitley this morning and said, "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." (Full coverage)
Sources say the two leaders asked Mr Srinivasan not to attend BCCI meetings and events till the 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.
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.
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. (Read)
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