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There is more trouble in store for Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI's President N Srinivasan, as the BCCI has decided to suspend him from IPL and conduct an inquiry into his role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal.
Meanwhile, a four member team from Mumbai Police conducted a raid at Gurunath's house in Chennai.
Sanjay Jagdale, Honorary Secretary of BCCI, said in a statement that BCCI had taken a note of the detention of Meiyappan by the Mumbai police. Meiyappan is a member of the team management of Chennai Super Kings. As an accredited team official, Meiyappan is subject to the provisions of the IPL Operational Rules and the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.
The statement further said, BCCI officials met Mumbai police on May 23 and will continue to offer all assistance to the police and regulatory authorities.
Meanwhile, a four-member Team (including the officers who visited Meiyappan's house to issue summon on Thursday) from Mumbai police today raided Meiyappan's house at Chennai. The raid started around 9.45 am. Police sources said they were searching for evidence, including phones, laptops or some papers, which can support Mumbai Police investigation.
A Mumbai court on Saturday granted Meiyappan's custody to the Police till May 29, in connection with the raging spot-fixing scam.
On May 23, a Mumbai police team served summons on Meiyappan at his residence in connection with the spot-fixing controversy. Meiyappan was in Kodaikanal, along with his father-in-law, at that time and the summon was received by his staff on his behalf.
Meiyappan's name came into light after actor Vindoo Dara Singh told his interrogators that he was "frequently in touch" with the son-in-law of the BCCI chief. It was also reported that Singh told police he was betting on behalf of Meiyappan.
On May 24, India Cements, which is the owner of CSK (the most valuable team in IPL), issued a statement that Meiyappan is not the owner/CEO/team principal of IPL franchise ostensibly to distance CSK from him and his actions. The announcement came at a time, when Meiyappan's twitter account stated that he is Team Principal, however within hours it was changed after the media have started highlighting a rule of BCCI.
BCCI's clause (11.3) in the IPL franchise agreement: The BCCI-IPL may terminate this agreement with immediate effect by written notice if: “The franchisee, any franchisee group company and/or the owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the league, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the franchisee, the team or any other team in the league and/or the game of cricket.
While India Cements in a statement said that Meiyappan neither the Owner, nor CEO / Team Principal of CSK, which valued (brand value) at $45.42 million (around Rs 245 crore) from $45.28 million (Rs 244.5 crore) last year. However, Meyiappan's twitter account (now the account doesnt says that he is the Team Principal), his identification stated that he is Team Principal and Team Owner.
To a question on why Gurunath called him as Team Principal, Srinivasan said, "he (Gurunath) was enthusiastic to put it and i am not going to reply or justify further on his role or his accreditation, all those matters will be looked by Commission".
Speaking about CSK's owner ship and management, Srinivasan said, India Cements, which was supporting cricket for around 50 years and employeed lots of cricketers, is the owner of Ownership. The cement company manages 14-15 teams and CSK is just one more team. India Cements Rakesh Singh, joint-president, marketing, India Cements is the marketing head of CSK and R Srinivasan who is the CFO of the company is incharge of CSK finance.
"He (Gurunath) never visited even the office of CSK," said Srinivsan. It may be noted CSK headoffice is also the headquarters of India Cements.
