IPL boss Rajiv Shukla defends Thakur over links with bookie

Indian Premier League governing council chairman Rajiv Shukla, on Monday, avoided commenting on reports of Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur allegedly being seen with a bookie and said that he would comment on the matter only after getting any evidence.

When asked whether he would demand an inquiry into the matter, the former BCCI vice-president said that he had no knowledge about it.

"I am not aware of it. Whenever I come to know, I will talk about it. I am not aware of the fact. I haven't got any evidence," he added.

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Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former cricketer Kirti Azad was extremely surprised to hear that Thakur's name is being linked with a bookie.

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"I don't believe that he might have had some sort of links (with the bookie). But whatever takes place in BCCI, I am not surprised over that as nobody there took any firm step to stop corruption," he added.

According to reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had earlier written to the BCCI about having received unverified information with regard to Thakur socialising with an alleged bookie.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson had written to BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya informing him about the allegations against Thakur being seen with Karan Gilhotra .

Reports further reveal that Thakur was seen cutting a cake and offering it to Gilhotra in the pictures that were sent to the ICC by a freelance journalist.

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Image: IPL chief Rajiv Shukla with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur

Photograph: PTI