Sena demands CBI probe into IPL controversy

Shiv Sena today demanded a CBI probe into the IPL controversy, saying that the central agency could investigate the matter in a better way.

"I demand a CBI inquiry into this. I think that CBI can investigate the issue in a much better way," senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi told reporters outside Parliament.

Asked if the ouster of IPL Chairman Lalit Modi would end the controversy, he said, "the row will not get over as our leader Balasaheb Thackeray has said the IPL should be stopped as it is less of a game and more of other things."

On whether the BCCI should be brought into the income tax net as it was "not doing any charitable work as a trust", he said, "naturally, this is true. BCCI is earning a lot of money but the government will have to take a decision on whether they should be in the tax net or not."

Joshi said BCCI was not under the tax net as per the rules for charitable trust but "if the rules are fully changed to do so, then it is a different matter." He said at the moment there was no need for bringing the cricket body into the tax net.

JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, however, felt there is no need for a CBI probe into the IPL row. "What is CBI? Finance Ministry is conducting inquiry and it should continue."

Asked about CBI probe, Coal Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal only said, "there should be a high-level inquiry into the IPL issue."