A beleaguered Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Chennai Super Kings CEO Gurunath Meiyappan, who was arrested for alleged involvement in betting, pending an inquiry into his role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal that has shaken the core of Indian cricket.
Meiyappan, who is the son-in-law of BCCI president N Srinivasan, was arrested by the Mumbai Police on Friday for allegedly indulging in betting.
"The BCCI has taken note of the detention by the Mumbai police of Gurunath Meiyappan, who is a member of the team management of Chennai Super Kings," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.
"As an accredited team official, Mr Meiyappan is subject to the provisions of the IPL Operational Rules and the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.
"Pending further investigations and any subsequent hearing by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee or the IPL Code of Behaviour Committee, Mr Meiyappan has been suspended by the BCCI from any involvement in the sport of cricket and in particular from any involvement with the Chennai Super Kings team," he added.
Jagdale said BCCI officials have also held meetings with the Mumbai Police, offering assistance in the probe.
"BCCI officials met with officers from the Mumbai police on the evening of May 23 and will continue to offer all assistance to the police and regulatory authorities," he said.
The BCCI has been left facing with a massive crisis after three cricketers of the Rajasthan Royals, including India Test pacer S Sreesanth, were arrested for allegedly indulging in spot-fixing.
The arrests opened a Pandora box and the controversy reached Srinivasan's doorstep due to Gurunath's alleged betting link.
The BCCI chief is under tremendous pressure to step down on moral grounds but has remained defiant so far.
Photograph: Sahil Salvi
