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I wrote to the BCCI before the scandal, says IT officer

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Income tax officer Vishv Bandhu Gupta had last month written to Board of Control for Cricket in India president A C Muthiah informing him that some Indian cricketers, including a former captain, have declared huge amounts of illegal money under the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Tax.

Gupta had told the same to the media, kicking up a short-lived controversy. With no response coming from his disclosures, he decided to take up the matter with the authorities. Thus, his letter was delivered to the BCCI before the India-South Africa series.

Gupta says Muthiah never even bothered to acknowledge his letter -- and now the same man is threatening action against any Indian player involved in betting!

"I wrote to the BCCI even before the betting scandal broke out," says Gupta, known for his love for publicity and his reputation for exposing several nexuses.

"Normally, the cricketers should not have any black money with them. All that they receive from the team and advertisements is official, through cheques," he said.

He added, "VDIS doesn't permit criminal money."

He told Muthiah that the "disclosures were pretty huge", and has suggested the board investigate people who have played for the Indian team in the last one decade.

Gupta said he identified himself as an additional commissioner of income tax. Still, Muthiah did not respond.

For his part, Gupta is not very hopeful that the BCCI would be able to bring about any exposes. He alleges that there is a lot of money is involved in the selection of BCCI office-bearers.

"It is all a scam," he said.

His service rules do not permit him to disclose the name of the players involved, he added.

THE BETTING SCANDAL
The complete coverage.

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