Advani was the `top gun’ whom Manoj Prabhakr met

Though Advani did not seek the details of those involved, an emotional Prabhakar is said to have mentioned names. The Home Minister then told him to pass these names to investigating agencies concerned.

The Advani-Prabhakar meeting took place before the April 27 meeting of BCCI representatives, government, former cricketers. Prabhakar did not attend this meeting. But invited for lunch that day, he had a detailed talk with Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.

It now transpires that in his meeting with Advani, Prabhakar named a former Indian captain who he alleged had offered him Rs 25 lakh to “under-perform” in the Singer cup against Pakistan in 1994. He also said that he would furnish evidence to the agencies in this regard.

It was at this point that Advani is reported to have told him that despite its limitations, the CBI is the only agency that could handle all aspects of the case. But the Hansie Cronje case would remain with the Delhi Police.

It is learnt that former cricketer and BJP Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad was also present at the meeting. When contacted, Prabhakar admitted he met a “top ranking minister” but declined to give the name. Azad also declined to reveal the name of the minister.

Meanwhile, the alleged role of Delhi cricketer Ajay Sharma is under increasing scrutiny. Sharma, who is working with the Central Warehousing Corporation, left for London without a formal clearance from his employers. Police have been told that Sharma, considered close to Mohammad Azharuddin, telephoned a special secretary in the Union Home Ministry from London after his presence was sought in India.