IPL Fixing: Missing CSK chief spotted, likely to surrender

Chennai, May 24: Gurunath Meiyappan, who was missing since last few days, has been spotted in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu on Friday, May 24.

According to TV reports, Gurunath, CEO of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was accompanied by his father-in-law and BCCI chief N Srinivasan while leaving the estate of the latter.

The CSK boss is likely to surrender before Mumbai police who earlier on Thursday had issued summon asking him to appear before Mumbai police on Friday. Gurunath allegedly was involved in IPL spot fixing scandal.

According to police sources, Gurunath was involved in betting since 2011.Earlier it was reported that Gurunath would be declared as "fugitive" if he fails to appear before the Mumbai crime branch within 11 am to 5 pm on Friday.

Gurunath earlier on Thursday, May 23 had urged the CB to extend his deadline till Monday. However, it was rejected by Mumbai police who would grill him regarding his alleged connection with IPL spot fixing scandal.

Gurunath's alleged role in betting and IPL fixing scandal cornered his father-in-law and BCCI chief N Srinivasan. The BCCI boss has not made any comment on Gurunath since his son-in-law's name cropped up in the controversy.

Joint Commissioner of crime branch Himanshu Roy earlier on Thursday was quoted as saying, "A team of four officials led by DCP Satyanarayana Chaudhary was sent to Chennai with a brief to question Meiyappan. They also carried summons for Meiyappan."

"Since the team could not find anybody at his residence, a copy of the summons was pasted at his residence and another copy handed over to a manager at CSK's office," Roy added.

Small time Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested over his alleged links with many bookies, reportedly had confessed to police accepting that he was involved in betting. Vindoo also informed police that he was in constant touch with one of relatives of Gurunath. Vindoo reportedly told police that he was a conduit between Gurunath and bookies.

It has been reported Vindoo allegedly had placed bets on behalf of Gurunath. A Mumbai Police official was quoted as saying, "Vindoo made several calls to this relative of the Chennai IPL owner. We may call the person in question to ascertain the reasons why these frequent calls were made."

Investigation in the fixing scandal is getting murkier day by day. CSK is going to play the final match of IPL season 6 on Sunday, May 26. The match would be spoilt if links between its owner and bookies are unearthed. Currently police have been investigating call records of Gurunath.

OneIndia News