Chennai, May 26: A four-member Mumbai Police team today began searches at the residence of suspended CSK CEO Gurunath Meiyappan, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in betting on IPL matches.
Their visit comes three days after a two-member team arrived here to question him, but since none were present, they pasted a copy of the summons at his home, asking him to appear in Mumbai the following day.
Gurunath, son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinivasan, was arrested by Mumbai Police on May 24 after he flew into that city by a chartered aircraft, a little after missing the 5 PM deadline set by them to appear before them for questioning.
The CSK owner ran into trouble after actor Vindoo, son of later wrestler actor Dara Singh and winner of reality show Bigg Boss season 3, was allegedly in "frequent touch" with him during IPL matches and reportedly told Mumbai Police that the CSK owner had lost Rs one crore through betting.
Gurunath was yesterday remanded to five days custody by a court in Mumbai, which was told by police that he used to place huge bets on IPL matches after fixing the game.
The CSK CEO was suspended by BCCI today, pending further investigations, from any involvement in cricket and in particular from any involvement with the CSK team.
Police also told the court that the CSK Team Principal, armed with inside information about the Chennai franchise, used to share it with bookies to make money.
The IPL found itself embroiled in a controversy after speedster S Sreesanth and two Rajasthan Royals team mates were arrested last week by police, which claimed they received upto Rs 60 lakh from bookies for bowling one manipulated over.
A special cell of Delhi Police arrested Sreesanth and his teammates -- Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- in Mumbai on Thursday last for indulging in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches as per arrangements with bookies, who have underworld connections abroad.
During the searches, which lasted for more than eight hours, the Mumbai police accompanied by their Tamil Nadu counterparts, have recovered "some documents", sources said.
Earlier in the day, the BCCI suspended Gurunath from any involvement in Chennai Super Kings, owned by Chennai-based India Cements, and cricket in general pending inquiry.
"The BCCI has already taken the decision to provisionally suspend him (Gurunath) from all activities in cricket and particularly from all involvement within CSK franchise", BCCI Chief N Srinivasan told reporters in Kolkata".
