Madhavan to examine BCCI officials too

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's anti-corruption commissioner K Madhavan on Wednesday said he will examine some board officials also during his inquiry against those named by the Central Bureau of Investigation in its report on betting and match-fixing.

"I will examine the BCCI members against whom CBI has made some observations in its report," Madhavan, a former CBI joint director, said.

The BCCI had been castigated for its functioning, selection policies and lack of accountability by the CBI, which accused it of having "undersold" television rights for matches played in India, in its 162-page report submitted to the government on October 30.

About the affiliated units of the BCCI, the report said, "Most of the state units are perpetually under the control of a family or a group since its inception."

CBI listed the Rajasthan Cricket Association as a case in point and said the RCA "is being run by the family of Rungtas since its inception, and at present, even includes 10 employees of Rungtas as members of RCA."

However, Madhavan did not specify the date when he would be examining the five cricketers, a former physiotherapist and a groundsman of Ferozshah Kotla. He only said "the process would begin soon."

BCCI sources had said the players and officials were likely to be summoned on November 12 in Madras.

The 162-page CBI report on betting and match-fixing names former skippers Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja, former all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, prolific Delhi batsman Ajay Sharma, former physio Ali Irani and groundsman Ram Adhar for their involvement in the scandal.

All the named players have been banned from playing both international and domestic cricket pending inquiry by Madhavan.

BCCI chief A C Muthaiah has said the board's working committee will take a final decision on the fate of the tainted players by the month-end after Madhavan completes his inquiry.

Madhavan had also held discussions with two anti-corruption officials of the International Cricket Council, Martin Hawkins and Alan Peacock, who were in the capital to meet CBI officials.

Mail Cricket Editor