Indian news round-up

Indian team coach Kapil Dev has filed a legal notice on IS Bindra after the latter claimed during a TV interview that it was none but Kapil Dev who had offered Manoj Prabhakar a bribe for underperforming in a match. He said that the details of the notice served on Bindra would be made public in a couple of days time.

In a statement issued in New Delhi, Kapil said ``I have handed over this matter to my lawyers . The action to be taken and the timeframe within which it could be taken will be decided by them. For the present, a legal notice has been sent to Bindra by my lawyers and the ball is in his court.''

The former world record holder said, ``cricket has been my life and I have given my everything to it. The reputation built over 25 years has been tarnished by one irresponsible statement. I am going through an emotional hell. I haven't even thought of the financial consequences to my reputation. All that I can say is that the loss to me both emotionally and financially would be incalculable.''

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Jagmohan Dalmiya is contemplating on moving the court against Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited for putting up allegedly defamatory hoardings across the country against him.

Dalmiya's solicitor UN Banerjee on Friday said that they had served a legal notice to the chairman V Kurien last week, asking him to tender an apology within 48 hours failing which a `civil and criminal defamation' case would be filed against the company. Banerjee said "The 48-hour deadline is over. Since they have not yet apologised, we are contemplating moving the court."

The legal notice which was served earlier by Dalmia said that it was a case of defamation intending "injury and harm to Dalmiya as well as lowering his image, credibility and calling in the public eye".

After the announcement of the list of probables for the Asia Cup on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary JY Lele rejected the Indian team coach Kapil Dev's plea for cancellation of tours for a few months.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai, JY Lele said "What Kapil Dev says is his view, it is not our view, we have international commitments to honour and we will honour them." Lele claimed that the on going scandal would not affect the Indian players in any way. He said "It has not affected them. Why should it affect them. So many allegations have been raised against so many people."

On being asked why Kapil Dev was not present at the meeting. Lele said ``Simple. We have not called him!''