Azhar does not appear, Prabhakar grilled for about five hours

The former Indian Captain Mohd Azharuddin failed to appear before the cricket board's fact-finding Commissioner K Madhavan today in connection with match-fixing charges in Chennai. The inquiry confined itself to grilling Manoj Prabhakar for nearly five hours.

Escorted away from waiting scribes at the hotel by police and hotel security personnel, Prabhakar had two sessions of discussions with Madhavan, according to BCCI sources. After signing all documents submitted to Madhavan at the end of the second session, Prabhakar, talking to PTI at the airport on his way back to Delhi, said "This is the time to look for a fair decision by the BCCI Commissioner.

Madhavan has a good background as a CBI official and a thorough knowledge of the game. I hope for a fair decision now." Meanwhile, Madhavan expressed apprehension over whether he would be able to submit his findings to BCCI's disciplinary Committee as per schedule, as Mohd Azharuddin had so far not responded to his letter, requesting the cricketer to appear before him.

"Azhar will be given another opportunity to submit himself. Otherwise, I will be forced to go by his (Azhar) evidence, as reported by the CBI", he said. Asked what action the BCCI proposed to take (against Azhar) due to non-compliance of his request, Madhavan said "It is left to the board to take whatever action it deems fit". He expressed hope that he would be able to complete his findings before the BCCI's special general body meeting on November 29 at Calcutta.

"Players or administrators who are not found guilty as per my report will be allowed to go free by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)", declared K Madhavan, fact finding Commissioner of the Cricket Board here today.

Madhavan, a former CBI joint director, said 'I am a fact-finding commissioner. Based on my report,BCCI will take action against those found guilty of misconduct and let the person, who is not found guilty, to go free". He said Manoj Prabhakar had gone away with a 'happy frame of mind' after the inquiry.

Madhavan said his role was limited to finding out if there was any misconduct on the part of players and administrators. Asked if he would also examine those who had been absolved of match fixing and betting allegations, as per the CBI report, Madhavan said 'if necessary, such persons will also be examined'.

As for the involvement of foreign players, Madhavan said 'foreigners do not come under the purview of the inquiry. But if assistance is sought by the respective investigating agencies, BCCI will extend all assistance."

Madhavan said 'I can assure you that I will be neutral. I am used to these kinds of jobs. I will make my observations to the BCCI as early as possible'. I have not formed any opinion on the CBI report," he added.

Madhavan said he had already questioned BCCI treasurer Kishore Rungta as there were some 'oblique references' against him in the CBI Report. The groundsman of the Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi, Ram Adhar, had also been questioned, he said. Madhavan said he would also question BCCI President AC Muthiah with regard to certain references about the Board's working in the CBI report. "If necessary, I will examine more officials in the matter', Madhavan added.

He emphasised that he would assess the CBI report solely on its merit. With regard to granting autonomy to BCCI,he said all sports federations and the Indian Olympic Association were autonomous bodies not bound by any controlling authority of the union government or any agencies. Likewise, BCCI had to decide for itself what it intended to do.

"Chennai was chosen as the venue for the inquiry as some players suggested it was a safe place for such meetings after having experienced some problems during press conferences in New Delhi," he said. Madhavan was assisted in his discussions with Manoj Prabhakar by P K Sharma, a Delhi based advocate.