Neetu Chandra questioned in spot-fixing scandal

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra was questioned by the International Cricket Council anti-corruption and security unit regarding her alleged links with suspended Pakistani pacer Muhammad Asif in the spot-fixing scandal.

Sources aware of the ongoing investigations being held into the spot-fixing scandal involving three Pakistani cricketers -- Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir -- said Neetu had also been questioned by ICC officials.

"Neetu's name came up during a scan of the phone records of Asif and his former girlfriend, Veena Malik, also confirmed that he (Asif) had links with Neetu," one source disclosed.

He said Veena, who was also questioned by the ICC ACSU official in Lahore after the spot-fixing scandal broke, had told investigators that Neetu was allegedly a link between Asif and Indian bookmakers.

Neetu, who has acted in Hindi and Tamil films, has denied any involvement with Asif and insisted she has nothing to do with the disgraced Pakistani player.

Veena had also named Dheeraj Dixit, an Indian national, as the alleged bookie who was in touch with Asif and used to call him up regularly. Dixit though has denied that he is a bookmaker and claimed he hardly knew Asif.

The ICC ACSU and Scotland Yard are currently probing the background and details of the spot-fixing scam that came to light late last month when a Pakistani players' agent claimed he had paid bribes to Butt, Asif and Aamir to indulge in spot-fixing in the Lord's Test.

Mazhar Majeed, who was arrested and then released by investigating authorities, has provided other details to the agencies.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan high commissioner in the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi held another meeting in London late Monday night in which the ongoing scandal was discussed.

"Yasir Hameed was also called in for a while and there are chances the Pakistan board will back the player if he decides to take legal action the News of the World newspaper for illegally taping him," a source said.