Gibbs, Boje need not worry: Jadeja lawyer

‘‘To the best of my knowledge, Delhi Police will not interrogate or arrest either of them (Gibbs and Boje)’’, he told The Indian Express today. ‘‘I can understand why the South African authorities want some sort of assurance from India but, if they were allowed to speak to the persons concerned, they will know that the case is shut.’’

His assertion is at odds with the Delhi Police’s stand, that the case ‘‘remains open’’. It’s a stand they have stuck to through the interim years and one that and Commissioner of Police KK Paul reiterated to this paper recently. ‘‘The case is obviously still open, it’s always there’’, he said, before adding that it was too early to speak on whether the cricketers would be questioned or otherwise.

But Anand is adamant, and explains why. ‘‘When the Krishen Kumar case was on, Solicitor-General Harish Salve argued that it amounted to cheating under Law 420. During the Ajay Jadeja case, however, Salve argued that it didn’t fall under 420.’’

Anand offers another reason to allay South African fears. The evidence against Jadeja — from his conversations with K Madhavan (BCCI Commissioner) — was much stronger than the evidence against most other people, he says. ‘‘Especially the South Africans. Basically, the players are never directly in contact with the fans and therefore Law 420 cannot be brought in. Therefore, Delhi Police doesn’t have a case.’’

On the topic of why the issue has been dragged out after over three years, Anand said, ‘‘That’s because the South Africans raised the question. If the Delhi Police had been interested, they would have travelled to South Africa to interrogate these people. It’s done all the time. These players can’t be touched. If they want they can come and play here. If they don’t come, it’s because of a precaution the South African authorities want to take.’’