BCCI suspends UPCA official who allegedly asked for sexual favours

Rajeev Shukla’s assistant Akram Saifi has been suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pending an inquiry after he was accused to sought bribes from the players to get selected in the Uttar Pradesh team. A sting operation by a Hindi news channel revealed the shocking news. Though Akram has denied the allegations strictly there will be a thorough investigation of the matter now.

The news channel ‘News 1’ telecast the taped conversation between the cricketer Rahul Sharma and Saifi in which the latter is heard asking for a ‘cash or kind’ favours to ensure his selection in the cricket team. It is also being understood that Akram is on BCCI payroll and has worked as an executive assistant to the IPL Chairman Shukla for a long time.

BCCI seeking an explanation from Akram

BCCI has decided to investigate the issue and will soon appoint a commissioner under Rule 32 of the rules and regulations of the cricket board. Akram Saifi will be given an opportunity to present his case as well after which the Commissioner will give his verdict.

“Pursuant to the teleconference between Chairman of COA (Committee of Administrators) and (BCCI) Acting President (C K Khanna) and pending the appointment of a Commissioner under Rule 32 of the rules and regulations of BCCI, we are seeking an explanation from Mr. Akram Saifi regarding the allegations made against him. Mr. Saifi’s reply shall be examined by the Commissioner once appointed,” a statement released by BCCI read according to the Times of India.

According to the Rule 32, any complaints of misconduct are looked into by the commissioner who is appointed by the Board President CK Khanna within 48 hours. He is then mandated to submit his findings to BCCI’s disciplinary committee within next 15 days.

UPCA joint secretary opens up

The player in question Rahul Sharma has accused Akram Saifi of the aforementioned allegations in the sting operation but UPCA’s joint secretary Yudhveer Singh has dismissed all the corruption charges in the selection and stressed that the process of team selection is transparent. According to the records, Rahul has never represented India and has not been picked in the State team either.

“We are open to any inquiry. We follow a very transparent selection process at the UPCA. I can’t comment on the conversation between the two as it is their personal matter. I have checked about Rahul Sharma and found out that he has never even been a part of the state probables. He has no credibility,” he said.

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