Former BCCI President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday demanded a Home Ministry inquiry into all the 75 matches of the scandal-hit IPL VI, saying not doing so will give an impression that the cricket board is not serious about dealing with corruption in the sport.
"If the BCCI gives in writing to the Home Minister and request to investigate all the matches, the government can then investigate all the matches. They can interrogate anybody. They have legal sanction," Pawar said.u00a0
"If, however, the board does not accept it and says its own anti-corruption will do the job, I feel the board is not serious in dealing with the wrongdoings," he added.
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A three-member BCCI inquiry committee is probing Gurunath Meiyappan, who is BCCI chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law and also CSK's Team Principal, and the spot-fixing allegations against three Rajasthan Royals players and its franchise as well as the Chennai Super Kings.
Sharad Pawar
Justice T Jayaram Chouta, former Judge of the Karnataka and Madras High Courts, Justice R Balasubramanian, former Judge of the Madras High Court, and BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale are members of the Commission.
Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Pawar said he felt sad about what was happening to Indian cricket due to the spot-fixing scandal.
"I am sad to know about these from the television and print media. We accept BCCI's reputation has been affected by allegations of these happenings.
"I must say that cricket loving people of this country who have supported cricket definitely would be feeling sort of hurt because of what has been happening," he said.
He, however, parried a question about whether BCCI president N Srinivasan should resign in the aftermath of the raging controversy. "I don't want to say someone should go or someone should not go because I am nobody. I have no authority to ask for resignation. Nor do I have the authority to comment on the opinions expressed by others. I would not have allowed this to happen," he said.
On the issue of conflict of interest involving Srinivasan whose India Cements bought Chennai Super Kings when he was a member of the cricket board, Pawar said the decision to allow him own the team was a "conscious decision" of the BCCI after obtaining legal advice.
Pawar said the IPL had brought financial stability to BCCI, contributing handsomely to improving cricket infrastructure across the country and even financially benefiting former cricketers by way of pension. u00a0
Pawar, who is also a former ICC President, was of the view that the IPL should continue after corrective measures are taken.
"One has to take corrective action. And IPL has to continue. It is a concept that Indian has developed and has been accepted by the global cricketing community," he was quoted as saying by 'The Week'.
Asked if the current BCCI chief N Srinivasan should step down from his post on moral grounds, pending investigation, Pawar said, "I don't want to comment on any individual," adding, "the anti-corruption unit of the BCCI has no authority.
"Suppose it goes to any team owner or any bookie, they will not listen to it." Pawar said the spot-fixing and betting scandal has "shaken the confidence" of fans.
"One has to go to the root of the problem. One has to take very effective, ruthless, corrective action against anybody at any level," Pawar said.
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