Indian Premier League scandal: IPS officer G. Sampath Kumar, who named MS Dhoni, suspended

IPS officer Sampath Kumar, who had deposed before the Supreme Court committee probing the Indian Premier League match-fixing and betting scandal, has been suspended by the Tamil Nadu government. No reason has been given for this decision.

 

Sampath Kumar, had told the Justice Mukul Mudgal committee that Tamil Nadu police officers had avoided investigating the match-fixing angle to the May 12, 2013, IPL tie between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The police officer's statement, carried widely by the Indian media, links Mahendra Singh Dhoni's name with allegations made by bookies. (Dhoni's name in secret inquiry report)

Sampath Kumar told in a note to the Mudgal Committee, set up last October by Supreme Court, to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Gurunath Meiyappan and Chennai Super Kings team owner India Cements.

Sampath Kumar, who initially investigated the betting racket for two weeks while he was working in the Q Branch, a state intelligence wing, came under the scanner himself when one of the arrested bookies, Mahendar Randak, told police that he collected 55 lakh from several bookies and punters on the officer's instructions. The money was allegedly handed over to a few people close to Kumar, the bookie had alleged. CB-CID officials seized Rs 55 lakh and about 10kg silver from them. Though Kumar was questioned, he claimed Randak merely helped him repay old debts. He was transferred out of the Q Branch, but no further action was taken.

The Tamil Nadu CB-CID police on Wednesday asserted that investigation covering all "relevant factors" including IPL match-fixing and betting were under progress. "We are investigating in all angles; whether it is betting on IPL matches or match fixing following emergence of new leads. All relevant factors are being looked into and these will be reflected in the charge sheet," a top official of the investigative agency said speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Reportedly, CB-CID chief Narinderpal Singh wrote to DGP K Ramanujam recently recommending Sampath Kumar's suspension and his custodial interrogation. "Kumar, while deposing before the commission, levelled baseless allegations against his former colleagues in the state intelligence wing as well as senior CB-CID officials to preempt any further action against him in the betting racket," a source in the state police said.