Asad Rauf charged in IPL betting scandal

Published September 21, 2013
Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni enjoys a light moment with umpire Asad Rauf during the final day of the first Test match between India and South Africa at The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 30, 2008. — AFP
Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni enjoys a light moment with umpire Asad Rauf during the final day of the first Test match between India and South Africa at The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 30, 2008. — AFP

MUMBAI: Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf and the son-in-law of the Indian cricket board's (BCCI) president were charged by Mumbai Police on Saturday in a betting scandal surrounding the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI president N. Srinivasan, was arrested in May after being quizzed by police probing illegal betting on the Twenty20 league.

A total of 22 people have been charged for gambling, cheating and fraud, the police said.

“The chargesheet runs into 11,609 pages and was submitted in the honourable court this afternoon,” Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of Mumbai Police, told reporters in Mumbai.

The 57-year-old Rauf, who has officiated 48 tests and 98 one-day internationals, was removed from the Champions Trophy panel in May by the International Cricket Council following reports of his involvement in the scandal. He has maintained his innocence and called for proof regarding the allegations of corruption against him.

The BCCI last week banned former India fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and another player for life on spot-fixing charges.

BCCI chief Srinivasan has distanced himself from Meiyappan, who was a top official with the IPL's Chennai franchise.

“This is a matter for Mr Gurunath Meiyappan to deal with. If he is chargesheeted, the law will take it own course,” Srinivasan told reporters in Chennai.

“It is up to him to defend his position, it has got nothing to do with me.”

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...