Asad Rauf was one of the umpires who officiated the controversial match in which the three arrested Rajasthan Royals cricketers – S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan – allegedly indulged in spot-fixing.
A Pakistani umpire is the latest person to come under the radar of the Mumbai police’s investigations into the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal, according to the Times of India newspaper.
A number of bookies, a Bollywood actor and three Indian cricketers have been detained and interrogated by the Indian police probing the scandal that has rocked the multi-billion dollar Twenty20 cricket extravaganza.
The Times of India report stated the crime branch of Mumbai police is probing the activities of the umpire in all the matches he was part of and keeping his movements under watch.
While the report did not mention his name, it is understood he was the same official who had a brush with controversy a few months back, after Mumbai-based model Leena Kapoor accused him of sexual assault: Asad Rauf. Kapoor later withdrew her complaint.
Asad Rauf was one of the umpires who officiated the controversial match in which the three arrested Rajasthan Royals cricketers – S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan – allegedly indulged in spot-fixing, in a match against Mumbai Indians on May 15 in Mumbai.
“The Delhi police said that spot-fixing took place during three matches that the Rajasthan Royals played in; with Pune Warriors on May 5 in Pune, with Kings XI in Mohali (Punjab) on May 9, and with Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on May 15,” the report said.
It also quoted a crime branch officer as saying “at this stage we cannot say if he was involved in spot fixing. But what surprises us is that most of the arrested bookies and actor Vindu Singh were very close to him. They provided us with some details of the umpire’s activities and we are trying to find out more details,” a crime branch officer said.
‘Pakistan’s name being dragged in the mud’
However, various former PCB officials and fans believe Pakistan’s name is being dragged in the mud unnecessarily for the Indian authorities’ failure to keep their sport clean.
“As per the report, he was neither arrested nor questioned directly by the police and making a report out of it shows their intent to drag Pakistan’s name into the controversy,” said a former official.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (18)
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@ahmed faraz bhatti: First learn how to spell hypocrite you hypocrite and second thing is that asad rauf is not pleaded guilty so now who is hyoocrite and liar you and your country
@ahmed faraz bhatti
"about being history next year",,i m nt sure i hear this term mostly for ur country... you might not be watching it but then why geo has to shift domestic match timing for ipl..because of trps rite..so there u r pak ppl must be watching/.. and please answer my questions point by point// just dont argue for sake of arguing
love to all hate mongers and specially the hyprocates
@Fudge If its just a game why are you emotional and defending Indians. You are speaking hollow.
@nishant: What Hypocrisy I never watch you fixed league and we will see next year who will come in the raging fire of spot fixing you just wait next year ipl will be history. don't need to be emotional
@Ahmed Faraz Bhatti: So when UK police caught three Pakistani's in spot fixing,they dragged Pakistan's name in mud.On the contrary it was your denial and blame game that spoilt the name of Pakistan.I remember the Pakistan High Commissioner declaring in public that the cricketers were innocent.
@Ahmed Faraz Bhatti: No need to be so emotional. It is just a league so need to drag our emotions in it. Please read what @nishant replied to you. I am Pakistani myself (you will regularly read my comments here). Be rational and stop living in denial.
Asad Rauf is no angel, nobody is, he has already been involved in a scandal so let the investigations end. If he is at fault then just accept it but our denial mentality won't help us here.
@ahmed faraz bahtti-"IPL IS A DISGRACE TO CRICKET" still ur beolved mushtaq ahmed, ramiz raza, waqar younis, aleem dar ,asad rauf is associated with ipl.. still legendary wasim akram asked bcci to allow pak players in ipl.. and who can forget the hue and cry after pak players were not auctioned... still geo runs it in prime time and ur domestic matches time has to shift for it..
hypocrisy is the word
@Gulam Rasool Kuldeep Sharma It is not the first time tat your paisa league is on the point of every finger for spot fixing. and sreesanth is caught in india by indian police that's why it has nothing to do with indian reputation but using Asad Rauf name is just dragging him. and you would be unsuccessful in it. good luck spot fixing Indians. I remember how our players were abused by your commentators and greats now you are on the radar. I hope some other Indians are also caught. IPL is a disgrace to cricket.
@Omer A: Stop living in denial and learn to call a spade a spade.
@Gulam Rasool "Kuldeep sharma": @gp65: @deep: What about the other Umpire? Just because some Indian actress had accused Rauf of sexual misconduct, so his name HAS to be included in this probe Yeh tu hona hi tha.....
dem indians had to bring in a Pakistani by any means.
Be it Pakistani or Indian, if he is involved in any type of fixing in the sports should be brought to justice.
Maybe Kapil Dev was also involved, because he was watching the match on TV. Indians, how can you stoop so low and try to involve a Pakistani umpire, just because you couldn`t find a Pakistani player. Shame on you.
@Umar When Srisanth = we accepted and didn't questioned about it when Pakistani Umpire = you are becoming a shield ?
Feel the difference man, feel the difference
hahaha they searched in and out if there is any possibility of dragging some pakistani in the case, umpire was the only option then
hahaha they searched in and out if there is any possibility of dragging some pakistani in the case, umpire was the only option then.
"However, various former PCB officials and fans believe Pakistan’s name is being dragged in the mud unnecessarily for the Indian authorities’ failure to keep their sport clean."
Ah, so when Sreesanth was arrested, Indian olice was trying to drag India's name in mud? Seriously stop being so defensive and paranoid.
dragging pakistan's name?? How does one man become a nation? talk about being defensive - why should a whole nation feel responsible for the action of one man? seriously pakistan should come down from its high horse - in a globalized world, a country's reputation cannot be held hostage to every citizen's behavior - surely that is a recipe for paranoia and misplaced sense of persecution