Goa cricket rigmarole continues

Sandesh Prabhdesai in Goa

The probe into the bogus ticket scandal in the final ODI between India and Australia is still on, yet a new game has begun within the Goa Cricket Association. It's called the expulsion game!

After a month's hibernation following his alleged involvement in the ticket scam which rocked Goa, GCA president and former Goa deputy Chief Minister Dayanand Narvekar is back in action. And with a vengeance. His first job was to sack vice-president Pankaj Joshi and joint secretary C Ashok.

Joshi, who was functioning as acting president during Narvekar's absence, has, however, sought an injunction from the District and Sessions court seeking further restraint on Narvekar's functions till June 8.

While granting him anticipatory bail last month, the High Court had restrained Narvekar from functioning as president till May 26.

Narvekar, while removing Joshi and Ashok, appointed Prasad Fatarpekar vice-president and Sanjay Kanekar joint secretary. Akbar Mulla has been appointed treasurer, in place of Rama Shankardas, who was arrested by the police for his direct involvement in the ticket racket.

According to Narvekar, the constitution empowers him to appoint or remove any office-bearer without even convening a meeting. "The secretary would however now convene a managing committee meeting with a six-day notice," he said.

Terming the general body meeting convened by the managing committee in his absence as totally illegal, Narvekar said the member clubs are now planning to convene a special general body meeting with a month's notice.

Joshi, while claiming that he has not received any communication regarding his removal as vice-president, said he is acting as per his conscience to save cricket from going into wrong hands. "I hope the court will uphold the truth," he quipped.

Meanwhile, DIG of Police Karnal Singh denied that investigations into the bogus cricket scandal have come to a grinding halt. "In fact we will shortly file the charge sheet," he claimed.

Police sources said they have enough material to prove that Narvekar is the key person behind the scandal.

You can also read:
5 arrested in bogus tickets case
Narvekar's bail plea rejected
GCA president orchestrated ticket scam, say police
Narvekar gets a respite
Goa Cricket Association asked to show-cause