Mumbai:
Hours after Rajasthan Royals said co-owner Raj Kundra, who holds 11.7 per cent stake in the IPL franchise, will be suspended if betting allegations against him are proved, Mr Kundra issued a statement saying he will forfeit his shares if "an iota of wrongdoing is established" against him.
Here is Mr Kundra's full statement:
During the past couple of days, it has been very distressing to witness that the media has come out with various stories related to me; factually the discussions about me are not wholly true. The version is either twisted, misconstrued or exaggerated to make it highly news-worthy. I feel that my silence has back-fired. As a law abiding citizen, I wish to state facts for those who care about us, for cricket fans and all others in general.
Without hesitation I can state that I have done no wrong for which I need to have any regrets. Since the arrest of RR Players on May 16th there has been loud noise about the alleged match fixing in IPL. Delhi Police arrested certain people after which speedy investigations commenced. Since it was felt that the act of match-fixing had deep-roots, it became necessary to have a thorough probe. In furtherance of investigation, Delhi Police interacted with a large number of people who might have information.
As a shareholder in RR the investigating team of Delhi Police deemed it fit to question me too. Upon receipt of information that the police had certain questions to be put to me, I as a law abiding citizen volunteered to positively respond to the call. Needless to say, I satisfactorily replied to the queries raised by the police and they accordingly allowed me to leave after my questioning. However as the case develops, in due process, it may become necessary for the police to question me further.
In the interest of justice, it is crucial that I am available in India. As such I have voluntarily retained my passport with the police and have also assured my full cooperation. Delhi Police themselves have had no grievance with regard to this and they have already stated so publicly through the media.
However regrettably, some misconception prevails in the minds of some people which is causing most undeserved embarrassment to me and my family. I wish to clarify by this statement that I have not committed any wrong and am myself extremely anxious to know the whole truth. It may also be made clear that since I am a minority shareholder I have no involvement in the day to day running of the franchise.
I have always remembered that the franchise takes a zero tolerance approach to betting, spot-fixing or match-fixing and I entirely and whole heartedly endorse the same. As far as my alleged own act of commission or omission is concerned, I reiterate that I am totally innocent and in any event I wish to make it abundantly clear that if an iota of wrong doing is finally established against me I would unhesitatingly forfeit my share in the franchise.
Before I end my statement I wish to thank all those who continue to stand by me and my family in these distressing times.
Here is Mr Kundra's full statement:
During the past couple of days, it has been very distressing to witness that the media has come out with various stories related to me; factually the discussions about me are not wholly true. The version is either twisted, misconstrued or exaggerated to make it highly news-worthy. I feel that my silence has back-fired. As a law abiding citizen, I wish to state facts for those who care about us, for cricket fans and all others in general.
Without hesitation I can state that I have done no wrong for which I need to have any regrets. Since the arrest of RR Players on May 16th there has been loud noise about the alleged match fixing in IPL. Delhi Police arrested certain people after which speedy investigations commenced. Since it was felt that the act of match-fixing had deep-roots, it became necessary to have a thorough probe. In furtherance of investigation, Delhi Police interacted with a large number of people who might have information.
As a shareholder in RR the investigating team of Delhi Police deemed it fit to question me too. Upon receipt of information that the police had certain questions to be put to me, I as a law abiding citizen volunteered to positively respond to the call. Needless to say, I satisfactorily replied to the queries raised by the police and they accordingly allowed me to leave after my questioning. However as the case develops, in due process, it may become necessary for the police to question me further.
In the interest of justice, it is crucial that I am available in India. As such I have voluntarily retained my passport with the police and have also assured my full cooperation. Delhi Police themselves have had no grievance with regard to this and they have already stated so publicly through the media.
However regrettably, some misconception prevails in the minds of some people which is causing most undeserved embarrassment to me and my family. I wish to clarify by this statement that I have not committed any wrong and am myself extremely anxious to know the whole truth. It may also be made clear that since I am a minority shareholder I have no involvement in the day to day running of the franchise.
I have always remembered that the franchise takes a zero tolerance approach to betting, spot-fixing or match-fixing and I entirely and whole heartedly endorse the same. As far as my alleged own act of commission or omission is concerned, I reiterate that I am totally innocent and in any event I wish to make it abundantly clear that if an iota of wrong doing is finally established against me I would unhesitatingly forfeit my share in the franchise.
Before I end my statement I wish to thank all those who continue to stand by me and my family in these distressing times.
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