IPL Fixing twist: Gurunath's aide, Chennai hotelier missing

Chennai, May 28: Investigation in IPL spot fixing scandal has taken a surprising turn when a suspected bookie, a hotelier in Chennai -- Vikram Aggarwal has gone missing.

Aggarwal's name cropped up during interrogations of Gurunath Meiyappan and Vindoo Dara Singh. Mumbai Police reportedly have issued summon as Aggarwal was learnt to be one of the "heavy-weight bettors" with Bollywood links.

While Aggarwal's lawyer -- Abuddu Kumar Rajarathinam claimed that his client was picked by the Chennai Police on Monday morning, the police overruled such statement.

The lawyer, who sent telegrams to the Tamil Nadu DGP and the NHRC regarding his client's whereabouts, said, "When we contacted the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID), that is probing the cricket betting case, its officials said Agarwal was not with them."

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner Himanshu Roy was quoted as saying, "We had sent a summons to Agarwal but came to know from his lawyer that he is already in the custody of Chennai police. We don't know on what charges. It means we cannot get him for interrogation now."

According to police sources, Aggarwal was introduced to Vindoo by Meiyappan. The son-in-law of BCCI chief N Srinivasan and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) owner was learnt to be a close aide of Aggarwal. The duo reportedly know each other for a decade and move in the same social circle.

Aggarwal, who is also known as Victor and owner of the five-star Radisson Blu in Chennai, had not attended his office since Vindoo's arrest.

Vindoo, a small time Bollywood actor and winner of TV reality show Bigg Boss, was arrested by Mumbai Police over his alleged link in IPL spot fixing scandal. Later he revealed Meiyappan's alleged connection.

Meiyappan, who for last six years was known to be the CEO and team principal of Chennai Super Kings, was disowned by India Cements, the owner of the franchise. Ahead of Meiyappan's surrender before Mumbai Police, India Cements issued a statement saying Srinivasan's son-in-law is neither the CEO nor the team principal.

Meiyappan is currently in Mumbai police custody which would end on May 29. According to sources, police received enough evidence which can nail Meiyappan in the infamous spot fixing scandal.

OneIndia News