IPL spot-fixing scandal: Big day for Gurunath Meiyappan, N Srinivasan, MS Dhoni

It's undoubted a big day for Indian cricket as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the IPL spot-fixing case on Monday after the Justice Mukul Mudgal-led committee probing the case submitted its final report on November 3.

New Delhi: It's a big day for Indian cricket as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the IPL spot-fixing case on Monday after the Justice Mukul Mudgal-led committee probing the case submitted its final report on November 3.

As the Mudgal Committee’s report on the alleged involvement of 13 players and officials in the IPL match and spot-fixing scandal is discussed before the Supreme Court, it is yet to be seen who gets away and who is punished in the matter.

Big names like ICC Chairman N Srinivasan and India captain MS Dhoni are under the scanner for their conflict of interest. When the Mudgal committee submitted its final report to the Supreme Court on November 3, it reportedly named a key member of India’s World Cup-winning team and touched upon his links with illegal bookmakers and match fixers.

There could be trouble for Srinivasan`s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan -- who was the team principal of the Chennai Super Kings franchise, as his voice sample from the audio tape, where he is heard placing bets on IPL games involving CSK, have been authenticated by forensic reports.

The panel, which is headed by former judge Mukul Mudgal and includes former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, had in February presented a sealed envelope to the court containing names of 13 individuals which were to be probed further.

The court revealed that Srinivasan was one of the names on the list and ordered the panel to investigate him and the 12 other unidentified persons.

The panel`s preliminary report had concluded that Meiyappan could be guilty of illegal betting on IPL games.

The Super Kings are owned by India Cements, whose managing director is Srinivasan. The team is captained by MS Dhoni.

The court barred Srinivasan from carrying out his duties as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until it had delivered its final verdict, but did not stop him from heading the International Cricket Council.

The sixth IPL season last year was marred with a major controversy after police launched legal proceedings against several IPL officials and cricketers, including former Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.

The IPL, which began in 2008, features the world`s top players signed up for huge fees by companies and high-profile individuals in a glitzy mix of sport and entertainment.