Several Indian players disclose concealed income under VDIS

Several Indian cricketers have disclosed concealed income under the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme (VDIS), according to Delhi-based Income-tax officer Vishwa Bandhu Gupta.

According to an interview given to a TV channel, the income-tax officer has stated that a recent Indian Test captain has disclosed hidden income worth Rs 16 crore.

The news is bound to shake the BCCI officials as cricketers officially earn only through match fees, advertising logos and prize money and since these incomes are not hidden, Gupta sees these huge disclosures leading to the players' involvement into betting and match-fixing.

Gupta is believed to be a senior government counsel with the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal and is likely to direct the BCCI to ask all cricketers who have played for the country in the last ten years to declare their wealth under VDIS, a scheme the government introduced a few years ago, but is not in existance now.

Gupta concedes he is acting in his personal capacity', but claims the confidentiality clause does not hold when the money is earned through criminal means. He has also expressed his willingness to announce the former captain's name.

Former captain Md Azharuddin, when contacted at his Bandra residence on Sunday, stated, "I have no knowledge of any such disclosure. It has not been from my side".

Former BCCI president and Indian nominee on ICC's commission on match-fixing NKP Salve, when contacted at his Delhi residence, stated, "The cricketers found guilty on such matters may not be prosecuted under income-tax laws, but can certainly be taken to task under criminal laws".

If a cricketer is found involved in match-fixing, he can be investigated for cheating. However, it would be extremely difficult to obtain any proof of such an act.