Neeraj Kumar appointed BCCI anti-corruption consultant
Neeraj Kumar, the former Delhi Police commissioner, has been
appointed as a consultant for the BCCI's anti-corruption unit (ACU). Kumar was
appointed by the IPL governing council, which met in New Delhi on Monday.
Mumbai and Pune were also confirmed as venues for the first two IPL playoff
games.
"Neeraj Kumar has been appointed for one year as a
consultant to the ACU. He will be involved in improving ACU's operations and
awareness programmes," Rajiv Shukla, IPL governing council chairman, told
ESPNcricinfo.
It is
understood that the former commissioner will set in motion an improved system
to prevent players from being trapped by bookies. BCCI officials also believe
that Kumar's vast experience in cracking cricket corruption-related cases
during his tenure with the police will aid the BCCI.
Kumar had led the investigations during the 2013 IPL
corruption scandal that saw the arrests of several players and bookies. He had
also played a large role in the 2000 match-fixing investigation, the first
major fixing scandal in the game. Kumar is expected to work closely with ACU
chief Ravi Sawani.
During the 2013 corruption scandal investigation, Neeraj
Kumar had been dissatisfied with the BCCI's vigilance against corruption.
"They should maintain better vigil. Most of this stuff happens quite
openly: people are seen sitting with undesirable people and people do come to
know about some strangers meeting somebody. So they have the list of the
suspects, they should go after them," Kumar had said in
an interview to ESPNcricinfo in July 2013.
"It would not be fair to say corruption is a rule and
honesty an exception. There are a few rotten eggs, which should be spotted and
be weeded out." Said Kumar.