Its question time for Bindra

Former BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra was at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in New Delhi yesterday to receive a questionnaire. The questionnaire was handed over to Bindra by the CBI based on the 360 page document he submitted on Monday. Speaking to the press after he came out of the meeting which was for over an hour, Bindra said "They gave me a questionnaire and I will be sending a reply soon." The document covers controversial aspects that includes payment of 'unreasonable' amount to players and officials to play offshore matches, allotment of telecast rights and 'illegal deals' struck.

Bindra said he had raised the issue of playing 'masala' matches in countries like Toronto, Sharjah, Singapore and Dhaka earlier in 1997 and had asked for cancellation of such matches. Bindra alleged that cricketers are never serious about the game while playing in these countries. Bindra said "Let the BCCI reveal the minutes of the meeting held in 1997 when I, after visiting Toronto, voiced my concern and demanded cancellation of all Indian commitments in places like Toronto, Sharjah, Dhaka and Singapore," he said.

This was in response to an earlier statement made by BCCI vicepresident Kamal Morarka on Monday. Morarka asked why Bindra didn't act during his tenure as BCCI president. Morarka said "Today Bindra is complaining about masala matches but it was under his tenure as president of the Board that India resumed playing in Sharjah and signed agreement to play in Toronto."

In another development a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has come up for hearing on Tuesday. The PIL filed by Rahul Mehra and Shantanu Sharma has asked for an independent investigation into the accounts and working of the BCCI in the last five years. The government in response has sought two weeks' time to respond. Pratibha Singh appearing for the government said to the divisional bench that the government is collecting material.

The other respondents are Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) besides the department of youth and sports affairs. The next hearing is fixed for July 11.

Meanwhile the working committee meeting of the BCCI is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on May 19. The session is expected to be a stormy affair as the working committee has in its agenda issues ranging from a review of the meeting with the ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya and sports minister SS Dhindsa to the recent allegations made by Bindra.