Nupur Mehta in news again as ICC official quizzes the starlet on match-fixing claims

Bollywood starlet on Monday was questioned by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption officer Alan Peacock in connection with the match-fixing report that appeared in a London daily a few months ago. According to a Times Of India report, Peacock, who was in Mumbai questioned small-time Bollywood actress Nupur Mehta whose name has figured in the recent match- and spot-fixing allegations.

“The questioning took place at a suburban hotel in Mumbai, following which Mehta told TOI that she has been “given a clean chit by the ICC”. However, sources in the ICC told TOI that they were not aware of any “clean chit” to Mehta yet.

Mehta’s name first surfaced in March when a UK daily carried out a sting-op on a Delhi bookie to investigate allegations of match-fixing during the 2011 ICC World Cup held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

In the sting operation, done to investigate allegations of match-fixing in the 2011 World Cup, specifically the semifinal match between India and Pakistan in Mohali, a suspicion was raised on Mehta being used by bookies to lure players, says a report in The DNA.

"ICC anti-corruption and security unit head Alan Peacock quizzed me in Mumbai for two and half hours today. He was the only official representing the ICC. There was a list of questionnaires. He asked me who all I know in cricketing world both India and international players. I took names but I won't reveal it to the media," Mehta said.

According to a report in The Indian Express, giving details of her meeting with Peacock, Mehta said, “I gave full co-operation. We had fixed the appointment for today (with Peacock) because I was busy at the weekend. The questions were on match fixing. He asked if I had any source or cooperation with bookies and punters around the world for match fixing. My answer was a complete no,” Mehta said.

“He also asked me about the cricketers I know and people at the cricket Board. I told him whom I knew and that was it,” she added.
Mehta also said she was clueless about the 'Sunday Times' report, which claimed that she was involved in match fixing.

“Today's meeting with the ICC official was a follow up of the Sunday Times report. The reporter may have given some clues but still today I am clueless how the report concluded that I was involved in match fixing. What was the evidence?” she asked.

The sting story had not mentioned her name but a blurred image was carried and Mehta then denied any involvement in match fixing. She had also threatened legal action against the newspaper. Mehta had also said at that time that she had gone out with Tillakaratne Dilshan during the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in England.