Focus on BCCI ACU adviser Neeraj Kumar

New Delhi, july 25

Post Delhi court’s verdict dropping all charges against S Sreesanth and two other cricketers, the spotlight is on former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar.

Incidentally, it was under Kumar’s leadership that the Delhi Police had arrested the trio and now the retired IPS officer is the chief advisor to the Board’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

“Yes, it is a bit of an embarrassment no doubt for Neeraj Kumar as he led the investigation. It seemed like the police’s investigation was a botched-up one,” a BCCI official said. But for BCCI, their defence of Kumar is that he was not a part of the investigations for the entire duration. “While it is true that Kumar was Delhi CP when they (cricketers) were arrested, post-arrest, he retired and the investigations were carried on. If the Delhi Police have failed to provide any evidence, how can you blame Kumar for that?” the official questioned. The feeling in the BCCI is that it will be difficult to revoke the ban as it was a disciplinary committee headed by Arun Jaitley that imposed the life ban on Sreesanth and Chavan.

No laws till date to cover match-fixing: Court

The court expressed anguished that “no laws have been enacted till date to cover these situations.”

“It may be worth the while to mention here that a similar situation in regard to fixing of players had arisen in the year 2000 vis-a-vis Azharuddin and others. A preliminary inquiry was conducted by CBI but it was reported that no offence under the penal statute of India was made out against these players who had indulged in session/match-fixing. Despite being aware of the situation, no laws have been enacted till date,” Additional Sessions Judge Neena Bansal Krishna said. — PTI