Mukesh Gupta makes surprise visit to CBI

After being on the back burner for a few days, match-fixing made the headlines again on Wednesday. Going by the events and statements over the last few days, there was a feeling that things had turned quiet on that front. But with the sudden and unexected appearance of Mukesh Gupta on the scene, things seem to have been ignited again.

It was late in the evening when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had a surprise visitor for them. Mukesh Gupta, the alleged bookie named by former South African captain Hansie Cronje in his testimony before the King Commission and said to be untraceable by the agency, turned up at their headquarters in New Delhi and deposed before sleuths for over three hours. Gupta appeared before the agency after a red alert had been issued. He was questioned about his connection with Cronje and former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin. Though Gupta was named by Cronje, Azharuddin denied that he knew Gupta.

When contacted by the media, Vineet Malhotra, Gupta's lawyer said that Gupta did not contact him in the last few days but he was aware about his client's visit to the CBI. Malhotra said "He must have heard about the developments from newspapers and gone there directly. I have not yet spoken to him."

In a related developoment, an alleged bookie in Lucknow, an aide of Mukesh Gupta, was questioned about match-fixing and was also asked about the whereabouts of Gupta. Accroding to CBI sources, the bookie has given some leads which will be followed by the officials.

Meanwhile, Union Law Minister opined that he was not in favour of the ongoing probe into the match-fixing scam and instead preferred that players should be forgiven and the episode forgotten. Ram Jethmalani said "Frankly, not much will come out of the match-fixing probe. They (the players) have surrendered to a temptation - let us forgive and forget." But he added that the recent developments had taken away his interest in the game. ``Like millions, I was such a lover of cricket, I used to run away from work to watch a cricket match. Today I do not know whether I am watching a fixed match or not."

When asked whther the existing laws were enough to book those involved, Jethmalani said the laws were adequate and said "You do not have to change any law. There are many laws to handle this kind of controversy," he said. ``But what is match-fixing, except a surrender to a gambling tendency - the desire to make quick money," he added.

On the other hand, in a press meet, former Indian captain Bishen Bedi was more vocal. Bedi asked the board to drop Azharuddin till his name is cleared and said no immunity be given to any cricketer as they have missed the bus. Bedi said "Why is only Azhar's name coming up? Why is no one taking names of Kumble, Srinath or Dravid who are also playing the game? There cannot be smoke without fire." He added "I think the Indian cricketers have missed the immunity bus. The government had offered them the chance when match fixing was first reported."

Coming down heavily on the Indian Cricket Board, Bedi asked the government to have some control over the BCCI. He said "the government should have some control over the board as they have been autonomous for too long. To redeem cricket's image, the culprits involved in match-fixing should be punished."

With this sudden turnaround by Gupta and opinions divided on the match-fixing issue by the those holding public office, things are certainly taking a different course. Some seem to favour pardon, others favour punishment. But the question is are we heading for a cover-up even before the truth is unearthed?