The AAP government has set up a three-member committee to probe into the alleged irregularities of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). The committee, comprising principal secretary (vigilance) Chetan Sangi, sports secretary Salil Srivastava and law officer Rahul Mehra, have been told to complete the probe by Saturday itself.
A source said even former test cricketer and Delhi Ranji Trophy captain Gautam Gambhir on Thursday discussed the matter with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Earlier, former test player Bishan Singh Bedi and Madan Lal had also met the chief minister in connection with the DDCA irregularities.
Earlier, the office of commissioner excise, entertainment and luxury tax of the Delhi government had slapped a notice of Rs 24 crore, Rs 45 lakh and Rs 96,000 on the DDCA, asking them to pay it within 15 days on receipt of notice.
The DDCA is said to have had received Rs 34.96 crore for pre-booking of space/seats in corporate boxes between 2003 and 2005. It is said to have received Rs 10.56 crore in 2003, Rs 17.38 crore in 2004 and Rs 7.02 crore in 2005. Apart from the entertainment tax of 15 per cent on all these amount, they have to pay interest at the rate of 24 per cent per annum which they have failed to do so.
The notice said: “Further since the DDCA did not declare the above receipts which has led to tax evasion of 5.24 crore, a penalty of equivalent amount is also impressed under Section 15 (1) of the Act. “
The interest the DDCA will have to pay comes to be Rs 13.97 whereas the entertainment tax will work out to a tune of about Rs 5.24 crore. In the event of failure to pay the said amount, the Delhi government can take over the stadium and the Test match between South Africa and India may not take place on December 3.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also launched a preliminary enquiry into allegations of irregularities in the occupation of land, construction of a structure at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium and embezzlement of funds by DDCA officials.
