Cricket scam: Gurugram police serve notice on 9, including Ranji players, to join probe

Sanjay Yadav

Gurugram, September 25

In the ongoing probe into the ‘cricket scam’, police have served notices on nine persons, including Ranji players and senior officials of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), Himachal Pradesh and Arunanchal Pradesh cricket association to join the investigation.

Their names have allegedly been revealed by accused and all have been asked to join the investigation within seven days.

According to inspector Bijender Kumar, head of Economic Offences Wing, notices have been served on Sanjay Bhardwaj, present convener and former director of Delhi & District Cricket Association; Navam Vivek, president of Arunachal Cricket Association; Kulbir Rawat (batsman) Najafgarh, Delhi; Anurag, a cricketer from Mujaffarnagar in UP; Sobers Joban, whose name was allegedly involved in match fixing in 2017; Deen Dyal Upadhyay, Ranji player from UP; Ajay Sharma, official of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association; cricket coach Raj Rajput and Amit Diwedi.

It may be noted that coach Raj Rajput and Amit Diwedi have already been booked by police and both are absconding.

The notice served to these nine as prima facie accused under Section 41 (a) to join the investigation as the arrested accused Ashutosh Bora, his sister Chitra Bora and Nitin Jha revealed their names.

Police sources said these suspects had allegedly taken money in their personal accounts from alleged main accused Ashutosh Bora. An investigating officer of the economic offence wing (EOW-2) said as per the bank account records, transactions worth more than Rs 11 lakh are found in the account of Sanjay Bhardwaj, present convener and former director of DDCA. Similarly, the money was allegedly transferred online to all other eight suspects and they asked them to join investigation.

“As the arrested accused revealed these names, we get some clues of bank transactions. We served notices to all 9 and asked them to join investigation in seven days. The all three accused arrested in the scam is now in jail. Bail plea of an accused Chitra Bora has already been rejected two times from the city courts. The further probe is on and we are conducting raids to nab other accused involved in the scam,” said inspector Bijender Kumar.

On September 4, economic offence wing (EOW-2) had busted a gang for allegedly duping aspiring cricketers of several lakhs promising them selection in various teams and tournaments. The police arrested three who were directors of sports management company -- Secure Corporate Management Private Limited. Three others -- Raj Rajput, Amit Diwedi and Pushkar Tiwari were also identified but still at large.

“We are investigating the case and reviewing all details. Guilty will not be spared,” police commissioner KK Rao said.