BCCI suspends Chennai Super Kings' Gurunath Meiyappan till IPL spotfixing probe over
Mumbai police had arrested Gurunath Meiyappan for his alleged links with Vindoo Dara Singh who was arrested earlier due to his links with bookies.
A beleaguered BCCI on Sunday suspended Chennai Super Kings CEO Gurunath Meiyappan, who was arrested for alleged involvement in betting, pending an inquiry into his role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal that has shaken the core of Indian cricket.
Meiyappan, who is the son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinivasan, was arrested by the Mumbai Police on Friday for allegedly indulging in betting.
The police alleged that he had links with Vindoo Dara Singh. Vindoo had been arrested on charges of being in contact with bookies. This was in wake of the spot-fixing scandal that involved the arrests of three Rajasthan Royals players Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.
"The BCCI has taken note of the detention by the Mumbai police of Gurunath Meiyappan, who is a member of the team management of Chennai Super Kings," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.
"As an accredited team official, Mr Meiyappan is subject to the provisions of the IPL Operational Rules and the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.
"Pending further investigations and any subsequent hearing by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee or the IPL Code of Behaviour Committee, Mr Meiyappan has been suspended by the BCCI from any involvement in the sport of cricket and in particular from any involvement with the Chennai Super Kings team," he added.
Jagdale said BCCI officials have also held meetings with the Mumbai Police, offering assistance in the probe.
"BCCI officials met with officers from the Mumbai police on the evening of May 23 and will continue to offer all assistance to the police and regulatory authorities," he said.
The arrests opened a pandora's box and the controversy reached Srinivasan's doorstep due to Gurunath's alleged betting link. (Srinivasan attends Dalmiya's dinner)
The BCCI chief is under tremendous pressure to step down on moral grounds but has remained defiant so far.
Srinivasan was adamant that he would not resign and does not feel that he should do so simply as a result of Gurunath's arrest. He maintained that the BCCI would follow proper procedure while the law would take its course.
"I have no knowledge of his (Gurunath's) activities. I do not go for Chennai Super Kings' matches and I hardly watch Twenty20 cricket," Srinivasan added.
"I don't agree with this view. A lot of BCCI members have sent me messages of support," he went on to say. "A few people may want me out but I am too straight, I follow the rules and I do not give in to pressure." Watch
"If someone wants to replace me let them get elected," Srinivasan said. Read more