Cash-for-selection scandal rocks Jharkhand cricket; two district officials terminated

A major corruption scandal has hit Jharkhand cricket as two top district cricket body officials were found accepting cash offer in lieu of picking players and they were terminated from their respective posts and their life membership is suspended.

The two accused officials — secretary of Ranchi District Cricket Association (RDCA) Mohammad Wasim and that of Latehar District Cricket Association (LDCA) Amalesh Kumar — were exposed by a sting operation conducted by a local Hindi news channel following which the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) took the decision on Thursday.

Wasim and Kumar were found agreeing to pick any player in district teams of different age groups in lieu of cash and even told that cash could play an important role in selection for the state side, a Times of India report said. The state cricket association jumped into damage control as soon as the news went viral.

In an official statement, JSCA secretary Debashish Chakraborty said on behalf of the association: “Such behaviour of a life member of JSCA and honorary secretary of RDCA and LDCA is misconduct of serious nature. Taking cognizance of it, JSCA has suspended both of them with immediate effect from all their posts and memberships cancelled.”

Three-member committee formed to probe the matter

Chakraborty also said that a three-member panel has been formed to investigate the matter and the body has been asked to submit their report by March 1. He also said that there is a system in place for selecting teams and no single person can influence it.

The accused, however, had a different version. Wasim told the Times of India that the news channel had come up with an edited report and that he has all the evidence in support of himself.

JSCA will host the third ODI of the upcoming India-Australia series in Ranchi on March 8. Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hails from the state, will be the biggest draw in that game. It might also be his final international game on his home turf.

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