Kirti Azad demands CBI probe into graft charges against DDCA

New Delhi, Dec 28: Suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad today demanded a CBI probe into graft allegations against DDCA and insisted that his fight was against corruption in the cricket body and not against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Rejecting BJP's charge that he had indulged in anti-party activities, Azad, who was suspended after his strident attacks against Jaitley, said he had done nothing against BJP or the central government.

"It has nothing to do with BJP. It is about corruption in sports. I have been fighting against corruption in sports for years and will continue to do so," he told the media. "Don't bring Arun Jaitley into this." Azad claimed he has "evidence" of corruption in Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) including about few-month old companies being given contract worth crores of rupees which he was willing to share with the agency.

He claimed he had shared the evidence with the then DDCA head, a reference to Jaitley, but nothing happened. He brought CBI in his line of fire, questioning its notices to the DDCA instead of raiding it, saying attempts were being made to hide "corruption" Replying to a query, Azad said he was willing to share details with the commission of inquiry ordered by the Arvind Kejriwal government into the DDCA issue.

"If they call be, I will definitely go. It is not a big thing. It is a government commission, not a private commission. It is set up in accordance with the rules and if I am called them I will definitely go," he said.

Naming a number of private firms which, he alleged, made money through illegal means, he asked his detractors to find out if they really existed as he wondered if this was not "fraud".

"I want to ask those who are throwing muck at me that where are these companies. Double and triple payments were made," the three-time MP from Darbhanga alleged. He also asked BJP leaders targeting him to be "careful" about their words as he was not attacking the party but corruption in sports and any unfair criticism can harm it.

He also sought to play down a Serious Fraud Investigation Office report, which BJP says had found no scam in the DDCA, and said Registrar of Companies was fighting cases against some auditors in a local court. Jaitley and DDCA have denied allegations made by Kirti Azad.

PTI