Testing times for Bengal board president

A controversial death in Kolkata has rippled over to the top levels of Bengal cricket and could bear serious repercussions for the Cricket Association of Bengal chief, Prasun Mukherjee, and joint secretary Snehasish Ganguly - brother of Sourav.

A meeting of the CAB's working committee on Monday could see pressure on Mukherjee to either not preside or, in an extreme case, step down from the post. Mukherjee is also the Kolkata police commissioner and his police department is facing heavy flak for the death of Rizwanur Rehman, a local youth who had married the daughter of a leading city industrialist, Ashok Todi, against her family's wishes.

The police then asked the girl to return home and questioned Rehman on several occasions. Late last month his body was found on the railway tracks in the city but his death led to a public outcry that is gathering momentum. While the police say it was suicide, there is growing speculation that Rizwanur may have been murdered.

Ganguly has admitted to introducing Todi's brother to Mukherjee and is a director in Todi's company. Todi's business was investigated by the police in 2002 for alleged betting connections but, though four arrests were made, Todi himself was let off.

The issue has been taken up by supporters of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Mukherjee's predecessor as CAB chief, who have demanded the incumbent step down.