IPL Spot-Fixing: Asad Rauf received costly gifts from bookies

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Telephonic conversations between Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf, Vindoo Dara Singh and a bookie clearly indicate the umpire’s involvement in spot-fixing in the IPL. A leading newspaper quoted police sources as saying that Vindoo helped Rauf in getting costly gifts from bookies. They even came up with separate telephonic conversations between Rauf and Vindoo and bookie Pawan Jaipur where Rauf was reminding Vindoo that his birthday was coming up. Replying to this Vindoo was heard assuring Rauf that he would take care of it. Vindoo later called up bookie Pawan Jaipur, who confirmed that he would send a watch worth Rs 6 lakh and a gold chain for Asad through Prem Taneja (another bookie) in Delhi. Here is the entire transcript published by the newspaper: Asad Rauf (Pakistani umpire who was officiating in IPL 6): "Do you know my birthday is coming up?" Vindu Dara Singh (film and TV actor): "Asadbhai, don`t worry, we will take care of it. I will convey the message to Pawanbhai." Pawan Jaipur (bookie) to Vindu: "I am sending a watch worth Rs 6 lakh and a gold chain for Asad through Prem Taneja (another bookie) in Delhi. Please ask Asad to collect it from Delhi." Rauf, who is in the list of ICC Elite Umpires, fled India during the IPL immediately after his name cropped up in the spot-fixing scandal. He was later dropped from the list of umpires to officiate in the ongoing Champions Trophy.