A day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) sent a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about Anurag Thakur socialising with an alleged bookie, Karan Gilhotra, the newly appointed BCCI Secretary lashed out at ICC chief N Srinivasan.
Confirming that that he has known Gilhotra for years, Thakur has, in his letter, sarcastically asked Srinivasan why a ‘list of suspected bookies’ hod never been shared previously:
I have been Joint Secy of the BCCI under your Presidentship and I am now Secretary, BCCI. I only wish that you had shared the list of unverified suspected bookies with me and other colleagues, so that we could identify such persons and keep away from them. I have known this person, who has been active in the political and cricketing activities in Punjab and adjacent States. I had no knowledge or any clue about his activities as a suspected bookie.
– Anurag Thakur’s Letter to ICC Chief, N Srinivasan
Conspiracy Via Neeraj Gunde
In his letter, Anurag Thakur has also insinuated that Srinivasan was planting stories against him in the media through a ‘friend’ of his, Neeraj Gunde:
It’s curious that intimation about my having known this ‘suspected bookie’ was brought to the ICC notice by your friend Neeraj Gunde who incidentally is circulating to the media in Delhi the details of documents against your critics in the BCCI. He operates on your behalf. A procured complaint and an ICC advisory based on ‘unverified information’ was issued at your behest on the eve of the BCCI Working Committee meeting. It was intended to be a counter offensive on your behalf, since you have not reconciled with my election as Secretary, BCCI.
– Anurag Thakur’s Letter to ICC Chief, N Srinivasan
Jibe at Srini’s son-in-law, Meiyappan
Taking a pot-shot at Srini’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, Anurag said that the ICC chairman should share a list of suspected bookies even with his family members.
You may also share this information with your family members, whose involvement in betting has been proved. Since the ICC advisory to me had been made in public, I would be making this letter to you public.
– Anurag Thakur’s Letter to ICC Chief, N Srinivasan
Related Stories:
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)