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Bindra's statements defamatory and incorrect: Muttiah

Zakia Maryam in Calcutta

Board of Cricket for Control in India president A C Muttiah declared on Tuesday that the match-fixing and betting allegations made by former BCCI chief I S Bindra are 'defamatory, absolutely incorrect and hold no water.'

Speaking to rediff.com soon after his meeting with ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya, in Calcutta, Muttiah said: "We have told the ICC during our day-long meeting that Mr. Bindra's comments lacked truth. If he (Bindra) has any material evidence, we are going to direct him to go to the Delhi police authorities and submit it for thorough investigation. It's proper for him to do that rather than speculate and talk loosely."

Muttiah said Bindra had telephoned him a few days back, and during their conversation, he had advised him (Bindra) to subject himself before the competent investigating authorities.

On possible legal action against Bindra, Muttiah said, "Bindra's statements had indeed defamed the board and if there is no truth in what Mr. Bindra has mentioned, I will be left with no alternative but to initiate legal action against him."

Asked to comment on United Cricket Board of South Africa chairman Ali Bacher's statement that betting and match-fixing originated in the subcontinent, Muttiah remarked, "We have strongly reacted to what Mr. Bacher has said. Mr. Bacher had phoned me other day and I asked him to desist from making such controversial statements. He pleaded that his comments had been wrongly interpreted by the media."

Meanwhile, Dalmiya today held a day-long meeting with BCCI bigwigs to discuss the recent allegations of betting and match fixing. Among those who attended the meeting were Muttiah, former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, Kishan Rungta, A N Singh, Kamal Morarka and Jaywant Lele.

Later addressing a press conference, Dalmiya said the BCCI has agreed to request the Sports Ministry to table the Justice Chandrachud Commission findings in parliament. The BCCI, Dalmiya said, will be sending a copy of the report to the Delhi police and simultaneously putting it on the Internet.

Dalmiya said: "The BCCI will direct all its present and formers office-bearers, members, players, officials, coaches and mangers to subject themselves to the inquiry by the Delhi police, which is seized of the matter and to place any facts regarding betting and match-fixing that are known to them."

He also disclosed that the BCCI has agreed to formulate a Code of Conduct for its players and to implement the same at the earliest. In the meantime, he advised the Indian board to ask its players to follow the ICC guidelines prepared by Lord Griffith, which state that "cricket players are under obligation to report to the team managers any approach made to them by bookmakers, or knowledge of such approaches to any other players. The failure to comply with the ICC guidelines are punishable offence."