Prabhakar left with a happy frame of mind: Madhavan
"Players or administrators who are not found guilty as per my report will be allowed to go free by the BCCI," declared
K Madhavan, fact-finding commissioner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Madras on Saturday.
Madhavan, a former CBI joint director, who held a five-hour
meeting with Manoj Prabhakar, based on the CBI report which was made
public on October 30, said: "I am a fact-finding
commissioner. Based on my report, BCCI will take action against
those found guilty of misconduct and let the person who is
not found guilty to go free."
He said Prabhakar went away with a "happy frame
of mind" after the inquiry.
Madhavan said his role is limited to finding out if there
is any misconduct on the part of players and administrators.
Asked if he would also examine those who had been absolved
of match-fixing and betting allegations, as per the CBI
report, Madhavan said, "If necessary, such persons will also be
examined."
As for the involvement of foreign players, Madhavan said, "Foreigners do not come under the purview of the inquiry. But
if assistance is sought by the respective investigating
agencies, BCCI will extend all assistance."
He added: "I can assure you that I will be neutral. I
am used to these kinds of jobs. I will make my observations to
the BCCI as early as possible. I have not formed any opinion
on the CBI report."
Madhavan said he had already questioned BCCI treasurer Kishore Rungta as there were some 'oblique references' against
him in the CBI report. The groundsman of the Ferozshah Kotla
in New Delhi, Ram Adhar, had also been questioned, he said.
Madhavan said he would also question BCCI president A C
Muthiah about certain references in the CBI report about the board's
working. "If necessary, I will examine more
officials in the matter," Madhavan added.
He emphasised that he would assess the CBI report solely on
its merit.
With regard to granting autonomy to the BCCI, he said all sports
federations and the Indian Olympic Association are autonomous
bodies not bound by any controlling authority of the Union
government or any agencies. Likewise, BCCI, he said, has to decide for
itself what they intend to do.
"Chennai was chosen as the venue for the inquiry as some
players suggested it is a safe place for such meetings after
having experienced some problems during press conferences in
New Delhi," he said.
Madhavan was assisted in his discussions with Manoj
Prabhakar by P K Sharma, a Delhi based advocate.
Mail Cricket Editor
