IPL Fixing Scandal : CSK under the Hammer
Ever since the IPL Fixing Scandal(in which Delhi police alleged that three Rajasthan Royals players – Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan – were involved in spot-fixing during the IPL) busted on May 16, 2013, 14 were arrested including 3 players and 11 bookies the latest being the Former Team Principal of IPL’s Most consistent team Chennai Super Kings – Gurunath Meiyappan. However Police sources say that Gurunath was arrested for heavy betting which is illegal.
IPL Fixing Scandal- Who is Gurunath Meiyappan?
Gurunath Meiyappan was born in the AVM family which is the oldest surviving film productions and studio in the India. Gurunath is the son of AVM Balasubramanian and the grandson of AV Meiyappan, the founder of AVM Productions. In 2001, he was married to Rupa, the daughter of the Current BCCI President and the Owner of Chennai Super Kings N. Srinivasan. As the Twitter Bio(the one posted above) says, Gurunath was the Team Principal of CSK and he was seen as CSK’s representative at IPL auctions and at IPL owners’ meetings. He was often seen in the team’s Dugout and dressing room.
Is Gurunath Meiyappan involved IPL Fixing Scandal?
After the IPL Fixing Scandal broke out, the bookies named Vindoo Dara Singh was also a part of it and was later arrested. Vindoo Dara Singh was frequently in touch with Gurunath Meiyappan and was spotted in the VIP box at Chepauk during an IPL match this year.
During Police Interrogation, Vindoo Dara Singh mentioned Gurunath was involved in heavy betting during the IPL and went on to say that the team boss lost Rs. 1 crore on IPL bets this year. When the Mumbai Police arrived in Chennai to question Gurunath, he was found missing in his residence at cenotaph Road, Chennai. He was summoned by the Mumbai Police to appear in court before 5:00 P.M. on 24th May, 2013. Gurunath seeked time to summon till May 27 2013. After his request was turned down by the Mumbai Police, Gurunath who was spotted in Kodaikanal was made to fly in to Mumbai by a private aircraft from Madurai.
If the Mumbai police arrests Gurunath, CSK as a franchisee could stand the risk of being terminated. According to the Clause 11.3C of the Franchise Agreement,
“BCCI-IPL can terminate a franchise agreement “with immediate effect if The Franchise, any Franchise Group Company and/ or any owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchise, the team (or any other team in the League) and/ or the game of cricket.”
After this revelation came out, Gurunath’s position and stakes in CSK came under the scanner and Srinivasan’s company India Cements released a statement saying that Gurunath is neither the owner nor Team Principal or CEO of Chennai Super Kings. Soon his Twitter bio was edited which is shown below.
IPL Fixing Scandal – Nothing to cheer about for CSK
After a brief inquiry with the Mumbai Police, Gurunath Meiyappan was arrested late last night(24 May, 2013) on charges of betting, conspiracy and cheating after he was questioned by the Mumbai Crime Branch. He will be produced in the court later today(25 May, 2013) and if he was proved Guilty, the franchise could be terminated with immediate effect. This will leave the fans disappointed because CSK are about to play the Mumbai Indians in the finals of IPL 6 on May 26, 2013.
