‘Wanted accused’ Rauf refuses to go to India

Pakistan umpire displays lack of faith in Mumbai Police .

KARACHI: Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf ruled out his visit to India in a bid to clear his name from the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) spot-fixing scandal, citing lack of confidence in the Mumbai Police.  

Rauf, who has been named as a ‘wanted accused’ in the corruption case that surfaced during the last IPL edition, held a press conference in Lahore yesterday where he maintained his innocence in the spot-fixing allegations.

The veteran umpire has been accused to have placed bets through bookies in IPL matches and received gifts in return.

“Exchange of gifts is a part of Asian culture,” said Rauf, reiterating he had not done anything wrong. “It is not a crime. There was no jewelry in my bags.”

He also rejected allegations that he left behind his bags in a hurry to run away from India.

“The hotel in Mumbai can give proof where these two bags were. I packed those bags myself with stuff I purchased in two months.

“Vindoo [Dara] sent them to Delhi but when I went there to depart for Pakistan, the police held him probably the same day and his phones were switched off. Due to this matter, the ICC had to withdraw my name from the Champions Trophy. This is the reality of those bags.”

Rauf added that he was an employee of the ICC and was only answerable to them.

"ICC has investigated the matter, and I have provided them all the bank accounts. It's been three months now and ICC has not contacted me.”

Lawyer dismisses Rauf allegations

Rauf’s legal adviser rubbished the Mumbai police charge-sheet, saying that they have not received it yet.

"We have not officially received any charge-sheet from Mumbai police, we came to know whatever was reported in the media,” said Syed Ali Zafar.

"Rauf is a well-known, professional and a competent Pakistani umpire. We think Mumbai police is doing his character assassination and it's a conspiracy against him. At the moment we don't want to give any importance to it and it doesn't have any legality."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.

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