IPL Scam: Sundar Raman Denies Allegations, Files Affidavit in Supreme Court

Indian Premier League's chief operating officer Sundar Raman, on Sunday, denied allegations of misdemeanour in the IPL 2013 spot-fixing and betting case. Raman was named along with BCCI president-in-exile N. Srinivasan, Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra and a high-ranking official at Chennai Super Kings Gurunath Meiyappan in the IPL scam report.

According to the Mudgal report submitted to the Supreme Court, Raman had contacted a bookie eight times in one season. He received information about Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra taking part in betting but did not act.

"I hold a PG degree in management and prior to working with the BCCI, I was employed by a multinational media and advertising agency," Raman wrote in his affidavit, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.

"In all, I have 20 years of experience as a professional with high integrity. I was recruited by the BCCI in 2008 and as part of my duties, I had to interact with various officials, VIPs, bureaucrats and celebrities from all walks of life.

"Most of the interactions revolve around arranging and facilitating their attendance at matches and events connected to IPL.

Raman, who is believed to be BCCI president-in-exile's 'right-hand man' went on to say that he was not aware of his 'contact' being a bookie and pointed out that the Mudgal report does not specify the same.

"The Mudgal committee report doesn't specifically say that I had knowledge that the person concerned was the contact of a bookie.

"The person concerned was also a celeb, a movie actor and also a TV star. As IPL COO, I had to deal with celebrities as part of my job. Celebs often call for tickets and invites to events - such bonafide interaction can't be basis of any misdemeanour on my part," he added.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rallied around Raman and extended its full support to him.

"Mr Sundar Raman gave his explanation relating to his role with reference to the conclusions relating to him in the report of the Mudgal committee. The Members heard his explanation and decided that the Board should support Sundar Raman to represent himself before the Supreme Court," A BCCI release said.

Raman's fate hangs in the balance with the next hearing of the IPL scam case in the Supreme Court scheduled for November 24.