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Stung by the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing and betting scandals, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today cracked the whip by suspending Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra on charges of gambling and unveiled a 12-point ‘Operation Clean-up’ in bid to restore the Twenty20 League’s credibility.
The BCCI's all-powerful working committee, which gathered for an emergency meeting here, discussed the scandal and took the decision to suspend Kundra pending an inquiry.
Kundra becomes the second team owner, after N Srinivasan’s son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan, to be suspended from cricketing activities.
The Board also decided the two-member panel, comprising ex-judges T Jayaram Chouta and R Balasubramanian, investigating Meiyappan and CSK, would also probe Kundra and the Rajasthan Royals.
"Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar had grilled Kundra for 11 hours. He had admitted to gambling in IPL matches and IPL CEO Sundar Raman has also got a complaint from a closed source. I will not reveal the name," the interim chief, Jagmohan Dalmiya, said.
“Rajasthan Royals’ role in the whole issue is being looked into but without getting hold of the facts, we don't want to frighten anybody," he added when asked why the Royals had not been suspended.
I’ve been made a scapegoat: Kundra
Kundra expressed shock at the decision to suspend him. He said he was made a “scapegoat” by people in powerful positions.
"All those who know me are aware sport is my first love. I own a minority 11.7 per cent share in Rajasthan Royals and a majority one in the Super Fight League in India, the largest mixed martial arts league in Asia within a year of its launch," he said.
"I have singlehandedly provided jobs and training to 200 Indian fighters doing nothing but misusing strength on the streets or in underground illegal fight clubs. I am working on football to promote it among youth and also to provide better infrastructure and training to them.”
"It shocks, saddens and hurts me when my integrity towards Sport is questioned, especially knowing that there are very few who have taken the initiative and been successful in the development of sport in India," he added.
