Indian news round-up

The New Delhi joint commissioner of police KK Paul said on Saturday that the Delhi police are contemplating on seeking the deportation of London based businessman Sanjay Chawla.

Speaking to a news agency in New Delhi, Paul said that the investigations are being hampered by the want of assistance from the Interpol and also by the absence of Sanjay Chawla. He said that ``legal proceedings are on,'' concerning the deportation of Chawla.

Paul also said that the Delhi police are yet to establish contact with Mukesh Gupta. He said that there is no prima facie case against Gupta in the match fixing case registered by the Delhi police. Gupta was named by Hansie Cronje during his testimony before the King Commission in Cape Town.

State middle order batsman Sridharan Sriram was voted the Tamil Nadu Cricket Asociation's (TNCA) Cricketer of the year at the 70th annual day function held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) AC Muthiah, who is also the TNCA president, welcomed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion, Muthiah paid rich tributes to the Tamil Nadu team's exploits in the various age groups during the 1999-2000 season. He said `` It is heartening to find several state players staking a claim for greater recognition.''

Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, AP Muthuswamy, chief secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government, pledged full support from the government towards the TNCA's activities. He also drew attention to the recent happenings in the cricketing world and expressed hope that `` cricket would be cleaned and restored to its pristine glory.'' The TNCA secretary Ashok Kumbhat proposed a vote of thanks.

Apart from bagging the Bishnuram Mehdi Trophy for the cricketer of the year, Sriram who represented India during the season, also recieved the NN Suvarna Memorial Trophy for the highest aggregate for the state in the Ranji Trophy this season. The other award winners are: MAM Ramaswami endowment award for consistent performances in Ranji Trophy : S Sharath, T Vasu Naidu Memorial Trophy for the best fielder in Ranji Trophy : Reuben Paul, V Jagannathan Memorial Trophy for the best bowler in Ranji Trophy : S Mahesh, Balliah Memorial Trophy for collegiate cricketer of the year : Rajat Bhatia.