Govt to order high-level probe into betting charges

Dhindsa, who tabled the Chandrachud committee report in the House on allegations of betting in cricket, ruled out any possibility of banning the Indian team from participating in international matches.

"Government will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the charges whether through a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or any other investigating agency," Dhindsa said, adding the concern of the members would be taken into account at the April 27 meeting.

BJP members, Vijay Goel and former test cricketer Kirti Azad, said match-fixing by any Indian player amounted to "sedition" and they should be arrested and prosecuted. They, however, cautioned that attempts to malign all players, most of whom are honest, would be damaging to the game of cricket.

Goel said a former cricketer had disclosed Rs 16 crore as his assets under the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme (VDIS) and demanded a probe into it, claiming it could be tainted money.

The CBI on its own should come forward to probe the scandal which has rocked the game not only in India but worldwide, he demanded.

Describing the game as "a religion and a passion" in India, Azad, a member of the victorious 1983 Indian World Cup team, sought protection for former cricketer Manoj Prabhakar, who, he said, was willing to disclose the names of Indian players allegedly involved in betting.

He also demanded a probe into links between underworld dons sponsoring terrorist activities from abroad and those involved in match-fixing.

"It is not fair to term all cricketers as corrupt and involved in match-fixing till it is proved," Dhindsa said.

Currently, the Delhi Police in investigating the matter and any attempt to interfere in its functioning would be counter-productive, the Minister said.

He said he would also convene a meeting of concerned persons later to discuss measures to promote other games like hockey and football.