CBI might register cases against Azhar, Ajay

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is evaluating the probability of registering cases against cricketers Mohd Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma in the match-fixing case, the Rajya Sabha was told today.

"The probability of registering cases against Mohd Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma, being public servants, under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1988 is under evaluation of the CBI," Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Pon Radhakrishnan said in a written reply.

The CBI, after consulting various legal experts including the Solicitor General of India, has indicated in its report that no criminal charges under the Indian Penal Code or Public Gambling Act, 1867 can be filed against anyone because of the nebulous position of the law in this regard as well as the improbability of the investigating agency being able to obtain sufficient legal evidence, the minister said.

Government is studying the CBI report into cricket match-fixing and consulting other ministries such as Home Affairs, External Affairs and Law and Justice, he said adding that the future course of action would be decided after receiving the advice from all concerned.

"The government is yet to take a decision in this regard," the minister said in response to a question whether government had decided to launch legal proceedings against the persons accused of matchfixing in the courts. The BCCI has suspended all the five indicted players for the time being and would take a final decision after examining the report by the end of November, he said.