Mumbai/Chennai/Delhi: Amdist the growing demands for his ouster from the post of BCCI president until the probe against his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan is completed, N Srinivasan remained defiant saying that he is not going to resign. Quoting Rajiv Shukla, who earlier on Wednesday had said that Srinivasan should stay away from the probe investigating Gurunath's involvement in the IPL spot fixing scandal, Srinivasan said that Shukla was merely reiterating what he had said in the press conference in Kolkata on Sunday.
“I saw Shukla’s latest interview and it is very clear that he has said that I should disassociate with the procedure. In Kolkata, I said the same. I will have nothing to do with the commission, it’s appointment and it’s probe. This is what Shukla said. He has reiterated what I said in Kolkata. We will just await that result. I have nothing else to say,” said Srinivasan.
Meanwhile a number of voices emanated against the BCCI chief in the last 24 hours. The first among those was Jyotiraditya Scindia, president of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, who said that Srinivasan should have resigned on moral grounds for the free and fair investigation of the scandal involving his son-in-law. “If he comes out clean, he can be re-instated again,” said Scindia.
Meanwhile Sharad Pawar, former BCCI chief, too came out heavily on the present incumbent saying that he was extremely hurt with the spot-fixing scandal. He said: “The cricket loving people of India are hurt with the situation prevalent today. I was in charge, this would not have happened.”
Pawar also backed former BCCI president Shashank Manohar’s suggestion that the matter be referred to the Home Ministry.
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) President Ravi Sawant too spoke out against Srinivasan. Sawant told NDTV, “If I was in Srinivasan’s position, I would have quit.”
Speaking to Times Now, BCCI Treasurer Ajay Shirke said, “The BCCI’s credibility is at stake and all steps necessary must be taken to instill faith in the board and the game.”
In another development a case of cheating has been filed against the BCCI. A member of Jharkhand Cricket Association filed a complaint with the magistrate’s court in Ranchi against BCCI and its functionaries for “cheating” the public in the wake of spot-fixing scandal.
Complainant Naresh Makani alleges that all the matches of IPL were fixed, and the franchise owners were involved in it.
Meanwhile one of Sreesanth’s friends has been arrested for destroying evidence related to IPL spot fixing. Times Now reports that Sreesanth’s close friend Abhishek Shukla has been arrested in Delhi.
In another development Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf has denied any wrongdoing in IPL spot fixing scandal. “I have never been involved in spot fixing or match fixing. I have never taken any gifts or items. The ICC anti-corruption unit have set up an inquiry into the matter and I am waiting for the outcome. That is all I can say,” said Asad Rauf, the Pakistan umpire who has been withdrawn from the Champions Trophy pending a probe.