Rajasthan ready to suspend Kundra over IPL claims

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals is prepared to suspend co-owner Raj Kundra and confiscate his shares if it’s proven he breached any regulations in the ongoing police investigation into spot-fixing during the Indian Premier League.
The team said in a statement yesterday that Kundra is only a minority shareholder who owns 11 percent stock and has no involvement with the running of the franchise.
“We believe that Mr. Raj Kundra is a law-abiding citizen and would not act contrary to law,” the statement said. “If, however, he is proven guilty or has breached any regulations, he will be suspended and he will also forfeit his shares.” Indian police say Kundra has admitted during questioning to betting on the IPL but they have no evidence he has been involved in spot-fixing, adding the co-owner is unlikely to be arrested.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has called for a special meeting Monday, however, with acting president Jagmohan Dalmiya saying that “strictest action will be taken if needed.” According to IPL rules, a team official can be suspended if he brings the tournament into disrepute.
Kundra is a British national who is widely known as the face of the Rajasthan franchise, along with actress wife Shilpa Shetty. He is the second IPL team official to be questioned by police.
Chennai Super Kings team principal Gurunath Meiyappan is out on bail after being arrested on suspicion of being in touch with illegal bookmakers.
The Chennai franchise has tried to disassociate itself from Meiyappan, saying he only held an honorary management position in the team despite being often seen in the team dugouts.
Meiyappan’s father-in-law, Narainswamy Srinivasan, considered the most powerful man in world cricket, stepped aside from his post as president of the BCCI pending an investigation into Meiyappan’s alleged involvement in any fixing.
The spot-fixing scandal emerged with the arrest of Rajasthan players Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan for allegedly conceding a minimum number of runs per over and receiving money in return from illegal bookmakers.
Another Rajasthan player, Sidharth Trivedi, has also been questioned by police.