A former senior official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India today poured petrol over the raging fire of the selection bribery scandal by declaring that allegations of selectors accepting money for favours had been simmering for long, though none had come out in the public before the Abhijit Kale episode.
"There always were murmurs of such kind [about selectors taking money] and there may be much more in the allegations against Kale than what meets the eye," Kishore Rungta, who recently stepped down as BCCI treasurer, said.
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Though Rungta agreed that there were no formal complaints, he said the integrity of some selectors was questioned in the past when two of them were found with some girls in their hotel rooms.
"There were also rumours regarding them getting money and the then chairman of the selection committee, Kishan Rungta, had offered his resignation to the BCCI," said Kishore, a nephew of Kishan Rungta.
Though the senior Rungta declined to comment on the controversy, Kishore went on to say that the matter should be thoroughly investigated and the selectors should be questioned.
"A thorough investigation is a must. The menace may creep into domestic cricket where players in all likelihood will be getting Rs 35,000 per match if the proposals are approved by the working committee," said Rungta, who was instrumental in pushing through the handsome fee increase for domestic cricketers.
"As secretary of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, I feel that all units too want a thorough investigation in the matter to re-establish the credibility of the selection process," he added.
"We should appoint such persons as selectors whose integrity is above board. Everyone is worried, and unless the matter is investigated, including the two selectors, the credibility will remain suspect."
Rungta also questioned the sequence of incidents as explained by the two selectors. "How come the matter was reported late?" he said. "Earlier, the bribe was supposed to be for the India 'A' team, but later it was told that it was for the senior team. Now it is being rumoured that not Kale, but his mother had offered the money to the selectors.
"Moreover, the bribe was offered separately to both selectors."
Rungta said the BCCI should also investigate the sources of income of both the selectors concerned.
"The Australian tour is a tough one," he said. "Who would like to go there when many shrug from playing there? In these circumstances, I feel there is something wrong and much deeper."
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