BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate UPCA bribery scandal

The BCCIs AntiCorruption Unit today said it will launch a probe into an alleged bribery scandal unearthed by a sting operation which claimed that a member of IPL Chairman Rajeev Shuklas personal staff sought bribes to facilitate selection of playersA Hindi news channel in Uttar Pradesh telecast an alleged phone conversation between Akram Saifi an executive assistant of Shukla and cricketer Rahul Sharma in which Saifi is heard seeking favours in cash and kind to ensure Sharmas selection in the state team Shukla is currently the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association UPCA SecretaryWe 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 BCCIs ACU chief Ajit Singh told PTISharma has never played for India and has not been a part of the state team either He has alleged that Saifi sought bribes and other favours to ensure his selection in the teamHe has also accused Saifi of issuing fake age certificates Saifi has denied all the charges We are open to any inquiry We follow a very transparent selection process at the UPCA I cant comment on the conversation between the two as it is their personal matter said UPCAs Joint Secretary Yudhveer Singh dismissing the charges of corruption in selectionI have checked about Rahul Sharma and found out that he has never even been a part of the state probables He has no credibility he added Shukla has not yet reacted to the allegations while the BCCI sought to steer clear of any association with Saifi even though it admitted that his salary is paid from the Boards fundsThe BCCI only allocates funds for its officebearers 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 a top Board official said We only provide funds to the officebearers to keep personal staff Who they hire is their concern and the staffers report to them not to the Board he addedFormer India player and UP captain Mohammad Kaif said the allegations have stunned him and demanded a probe into the matter 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 amp helps restore UP Cricket I stand by all those who have been exploited he tweetedKaif who recently retired from all cricket had captained UP to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in the 200506 seasonAlso Read BCCI Schedule Lists 2017 Domestic GamesCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Except for the change in headline the story has been provided ASIS AS AVAILABLE without any verification or editing from our side Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever