BCCI's ACU chief Ajit Singh said the board had taken note of the sting in a Hindi news channel and would ask for the audio and also examine the player involved
In a revelation that has shaken the cricketing world, IPL chief Rajiv Shukla’s executive assistant Mohammed Akram Saifi had allegedly asked an Uttar Pradesh cricketer to supply him with prostitutes to secure his place in the team.
In the latest string of events connected to this incident, the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit issued a statement that it will launch a probe into the alleged scandal. Addressing the media, BCCI's ACU chief Ajit Singh said, "We have taken note of the sting and will examine the entire matter. We will be asking the channel for the audio and also examine the player involved. Until we speak to the people involved, it is difficult to say anything as of now."
As reported by Hindi TV news channel News1, cricketer Rahul Sharma was asked by Akram to pay in ‘cash or kind’. Sharma also accused Akram of tampering with the age of the players in the relevant form with the help of fake age certificates. These players had otherwise exceeded the age limit to participate in the group tournaments.
Rajiv Shukla is the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) secretary. In such a circumstance, such a serious allegation against his personal staff spells serious trouble. On being questioned about the accusations of corruption, UPCA's joint secretary Yudhveer Singh said, "We are open to any inquiry. We follow a very transparent selection process at the UPCA. I can't comment on the conversation between the two as it is their personal matter.” He added "I have checked about Rahul Sharma and found out that he has never even been a part of the state probable. He has no credibility.”
BCCI faces defamation as well since Akram is on its payroll. While Shukla could not be reached for a comment, a top board official commented, "The BCCI only allocates funds for its office-bearers' personal staff. They are free to appoint people of their choice as executive assistants and their salaries come from this fund. However, the Board has got nothing to do with these staffers. We only provide funds to the office-bearers to keep personal staff. Who they hire is their concern and the staffers report to them, not to the Board”.
This scandal has disturbed the community of cricketers. Retired Indian player and Uttar Pradesh captain Mohammad Kaif said he was shocked and upset. Taking to social media, Kaif tweeted, "Shocked to hear about the extent of corruption in UP Cricket. Young talent being curbed by corrupt agents asking for favours. Hope @ShuklaRajiv ji ensures a fair investigation and justice to the young talent & helps restore UP Cricket. I stand by all those who have been exploited.”
Shocked to hear about the extent of corruption in UP Cricket. Young talent being curbed by corrupt agents asking for favours. Hope ji ensures a fair investigation and justice to the young talent & helps restore UP Cricket.I stand by all those who have been exploited
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.