By:Himvani
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has today demanded an action against BCCI Secretary and BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur for his alleged links with a Chandigarh based bookie upon which ICC had also sent a letter to BCCI Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.
State Congress Chief Spokesperson Naresh Chauhan said that ICC CEO Dave Richardson had written a letter to BCCI after Anurag Thakur was seen socializing with bookie Karan Gilhotra.
“It is well known fact that cricket is a glamorous sport which had been marred by controversies relating to match fixing by bookies” Chauhan said.
Mr. Chauhan said that with the introduction of T20 Cricket championship, IPL, the reports of cricketers being persuaded by bookie for match fixing keep appearing in media every now and then. Even the previous BCCI chief N. Srivasan was made to step down from his post by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India over allegations of match fixing and betting involving a team that is owned by his son-in-law.
State Congress Chief Spokesperson also said that BCCI office bearers should avoid socializing with bookies as it sends wrong signals and action should be taken against anyone who indulges in such irresponsible behavior as suggested by cricket’s apex body, ICC.
He asked BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur who is also the president of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association to clarify his stand on the issue of his alleged relations with a bookie, Karan Gilhotra who is also on the radar of Anti Corruption and Security Unit of ICC.
“Thakur who is seen socialising with bookie Karan Gilhotra at a function in Chandigarh should explain to general public and also to the cricket fans as to what is the nature of his relations with the bookie” he said.
He has urged BCCI to take a strict action against Anurag Thakur to send a strong message to all office bearers against socializing and keeping relations with bookies to protect the image of cricket from getting tarnished with allegations of match fixing and betting.
