BCCI to appoint Com to run GCA, arrested trio applies for bail
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 16 June 2016 15:09 IST
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to set up a committee to run Goa Cricket Association, following Goa police arresting its top three officials.
GCA president Chetan Desai, secretary Vinod Fadke and treasurer Akbar Mullah were arrested by Economic Offences Cell of Goa police on the charges of multi-crore fraud.
In view of this, BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke has reportedly told The Indian Express (click to read) that it would appoint a committee to look into the day-to-day functioning of the GCA.
“Let the law take its own course. We will ensure cricket and cricketers’ interest is looked after by the BCCI. For us, cricket and cricketers are important, and the BCCI will take all necessary steps to see nothing happens to them,” Shirke has been quoted.
Chetan Desai, the GCA president, is also the BCCI’s marketing panel channel.
The Indian Express news report states that the GCA has also defaulted on service tax for over five years, with dues mounting up to Rs 19 crore.
Shirke however has clarified that the BCCI would not suspend GCA as the whole matter is presently heard by the Supreme Court.
GCA member and former Ranaji player of Goa Hemant Angle has filed intervention application in the case heard by the apex court, following the Lodha Commission report.
After Angle pointing out one scandal of GCA’s arrested trio, its life member Vilas Desai had filed a police complaint in this regard, while also citing another scandal, amounting it to Rs 3.13 crore.
The first fraud amounts to Rs 2.87 crore, the amount received from the BCCI as TV subsidy, which the trio deposited in a private bank by opening a fake GCA account and withdrew it.
The second fraud alleged is the bearer cheque of Rs 26 lakh issued by the GCA in the name of one S Rajshekhar, encashed by one Sameer while showing it as the payment to Hako Enterprises in the cash book. Hako never got this payment.
BCCI has perhaps taken the matter seriously now because the police complaint has alleged that the national body controlling cricket of India did not take any action in spite of bringing these frauds to their notice in the past.
Secondly, the whole case is now being heard by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the arrested trio last night managed to get themselves admitted in the GMC hospital, complaining about chest pain.
The police however would produce them today afternoon before Panaji JMFC, seeking their police custody.
The three cricket heavyweights however have filed bail applications in the same court.
Goa police arrested them last night after summoning them twice during the day and creating an evidence that they were not cooperating with the investigation.
