Azharuddin grilled for six hours by Anti-Corruption Commissioner

Former Indian captain and one of the five Indian cricketers indicted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Mohd Azharuddin was questioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti- Corruption Commissioner and Former CBI Joint Director, K Madhavan for six hours at the hotel Ramada Manohar in Hyderabad on Thursday afternoon.

Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that Madhavan, who emerged at the end of the questioning session, said that he had requested the 37- year-old Azharuddin to face the media. He said that Azharuddin was initially not willing but added `` I persuaded him and he finally agreed.'' Thereafter he asked the gathered pressmen to keep in mind Azharuddin's mental frame and said ``try not to grill him.''

Madhavan said ``He is a man facing severe charges and show consideration by not crowding him as he is voluntarily coming to you.'' But when Azharuddin emerged before the media, a virtual stampede followed and the former captain departed from the venue without uttering a word. Madhavan took centerstage at this juncture and addressed the press.

Speaking of Azharuddin's comportment during the questioning, the former CBI Joint Director said that though Azharuddin was a bit tense at the beginning, he became a bit relaxed during the course of the grilling and appeared to be a ``relieved man while leaving.'' Madhavan added that Azharuddin told him what all he had to say and signed the 12-odd page recorded statement after replying to all his questions.

Madhavan said that the prime reason for his visit of Hyderabad was the security concerns voiced by Azharuddin in his letter to him. Accepting the fact that it was the investigating officer who decides the venue and the time of hearing, Madhavan said ``in this case I thought of the exposure Azharuddin had to face during his travel to Chennai and for the first time in my 40-year service, agreed to come to the `subject's' place for questioning.''

Turning his attention to Ajay Sharma, the other cricketer accused in the CBI report who has failed to meet him, Madhavan said ``I had asked him to meet me at Delhi on November 19 to complete my hearings.'' Along with Azharuddin, Sharma had also sent a letter to Madhavan stating medical grounds for his inability to turn up for the interrogation in Chennai. Sharma had written that due to back pain he was advised not to undertake long distance travel.

On CBI's allegations against the BCCI, Madhavan categorically stated ``BCCI was not indicted in the CBI report on match-fixing but was only named for its inaction or laxity in curbing such an activity,'' and went on to say that ``There are no direct allegations against BCCI,'' and added that the CBI cannot take action directly. Madhavan then clarified that he was interrogating the case as desired by the BCCI and said that ``the concerned department, the Indian Cricket Board, had appointed me to inquire into the issue.''

Madhavan said ``It is BCCI that is the law here and can take action against the players.'' He added that the current exercise was being undertaken to give the persons named in the CBI report a chance to explain and give their version. Madhavan also remarked that his role was only to furnish his findings to the BCCI and added that it was up to the Board to take a final decision on the issue.