Match fixing inquiry reaches climactic stage

The rapid progress made in the match-fixing case makes one feel that the climactic stage has been reached with things unveiling rather swiftly. The one-man inquiry commission set up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under former joint commissioner of the CBI K Madhavan has also implicated former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin in his report submitted to the BCCI. The report also found that the other players - Ajay Jadeja, Ajay Sharma and Manoj Prabhakar - have been found to have nexus with bookies, but has nothing against former Indian allrounder Kapil Dev.

After his meeting with the Sports Minister Uma Bharti in New Delhi on Monday, the BCCI chief AC Muthiah said "All players except Mongia had nexus with bookies. Involvement of Azhar is more than that of others. We will take disciplinary action based on the finding of the report."

Muthiah said the BCCI disciplinary committee which will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday will decide on the quantum of punishment. He added that the BCC committee will give the players one last chance to explain their conduct vis-à-vis the CBI report on match-fixing and subsequent findings of board vigilance commissioner K. Madhavan. He also said "the quantum of punishment will depend on the disciplinary committee. I will consult them before taking a decision which would be announced in the board's special meeting at Calcutta on Nov. 29."

Madhavan found Azhar guilty of match-fixing and said in his report that other three and former physiotherapist Ali Irani had nexus with the bookies. The report also said that Irani was the conduit between the players and the bookies.

Muthiah said "Madhavan's report was based on the testimony given to him by the five players named in the CBI report. The Madhavan committee, set by the Cricket Board to examine the players named by CBI in its report, is also on the same lines as that of the investigating agency."

For her part, while talking to reporters with AC Muthiah, Uma Bharti said the government has taken a very serious view of the whole situation. She said "I think match-fixing is a grave crime and the players involved should be given harsh punishment." She added "I am determined to stop such activities in sports and I hope the BCCI will give exemplary punishment to the guilty players so that these things do not happen again."

Refuting a question that she has not read the Madhavan committee report, Uma Bharti said "I was briefed by Muthiah about Madhavan's inquiry. I was shocked that players who were respected as icons could be involved in such activities. I told him that BCCI should take the decision at the earliest on this report. Don't delay, because people and the Parliament want action."

The Minister also said that she has had a meeting with various government agency and officials including the ED, Delhi Police, Home Ministry and the CBI. She said "I will be calling these officials again in three-four days to discuss the progress they have made in the case," adding that she would have discussions with the Law Ministry regarding the framing of laws to ensure that such things do not happen again.

Meanwhile a PTI report quoted a BCCI source as saying that Mohammed Azharuddin, who has been found guilty of match-fixing both by CBI and cricket board's anti-corruption commissioner, is likely to be given exemplary punishment which may include a life ban. However, Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Sharma may get punishments which may be a little less stringent.