BCCI president N Srinivasan, whose son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan is currently under investigation of the Mumbai crime branch for his alleged involvement in betting and match-fixing, has denied outright that he had played any role in setting up the initial enquiry committee to look into the controversy, says a report in The Times Of India.
According to the report, in an exclusive interview to Times Now, Srinivasan said he is a firm believer in what he stands up for.
"The BCCI is a private body. The members of the BCCI have expressed and reposed confidence in me. At the recently concluded AGM, although it was the south zone's turn and I was proposed unanimously, the question that was put to the members by the secretary of the board was that in spite of all that has been stated and all cases that are pending, were the members still unanimous in wanting me to be the president. The members said yes. That's all I have to say," he said.
According to a report in Deccan Herald, Srinivasan said that his conscience was clear and he did not quit his post despite calls for his ouster since he has done nothing wrong. Asked if his conscience allowed him to continue as the BCCI president even after his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan was chargesheeted by Mumbai Police in connection with the IPL 6 spot-fixing and betting scandal, Srinivasan said there was no issue of morality involved as he had not done anything wrong.
"Most certainly, I would not have taken up the position if I felt otherwise. And, as I said in the beginning I stand for what I do. If I have done something wrong, yes, my conscience would not permit me. But in this case it was not so that is what I said in the very beginning," Srinivasan said, adding, "If this is the road we want to travel, then in a sense we differ (from each other) then. If that is your view, you are entitle to.”
In a big relief to Srinivasan, the Supreme Court yesterday allowed him to take charge as BCCI President even as it constituted a three-member committee headed by former Punjab & Haryana Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal to inquire into the allegation of betting and spot-fixing against his son-in-law and owners of Rajasthan Royals.
Srinivasan had stepped aside from his post after his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was arrested in connection with the spot-fixing scandal. He was later restrained by the apex court from taking charge after being re-elected as President, before the Supreme Court cleared the decks for his return.
According to a report in Deccan chronicle, Srinivasan vehemently denied that he had a hand in the appointment of an earlier probe panel of two retired judges to inquire into the IPL scandal, which was later ruled "illegal" by the Bombay High Court.
"You have to understand that I did not get involved into the investigation on Gurunath. When this issue was raked up, I had stepped aside. These two judges were appointed by the BCCI after I had stepped aside. I did not appoint the committee. I was not the BCCI president then," Srinivasan said.
"The probe panel was formed by the BCCI Working Committee when I was not present. I did not even see the report. When I said I stepped aside, I mean I stepped aside completely. I did not have access to the report. I am not the person to answer the functionality of the probe committee because I was not involved. As far as Sreesanth's case is concerned, ACSU conduction the enquiry. Ravi Savani was there. Two judges were appointed. I was not involved in the appointment, functioning, probe or how many meeting were held," said Srinivasan.