Kundra was in touch with bookies, says panel

The Justice Mudgal panel report has cast aspersion on the police investigation against Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra into the IPL spot-fixing and betting charges.

The panel found that Kundra was in touch with bookies and violated the BCCI/IPL anti-corruption code by not disclosing his contact with bookies. “Materials on record indicate that Kundra was placing bets or was at the minimum standing guarantee for his punter friend. These infractions also violate BCCI/IPL anti-corruption code,” it said.

A player (unidentified) who recorded a statement before the police confirmed that Kundra introduced him to a bookie, it concluded.

The panel questioned closing of probe against Kundra, husband of actor Shilpa Shetty. “The committee also found that the investigation against this individual was abruptly and without reason stopped by the Rajasthan Police upon receiving the case papers from Delhi Police,” the report said.

Kundra has recorded a statement before the Delhi Police in June last allegedly accepting his role in betting and also disclosing that a business partner helped in placing bets. He, however, had later denied making the statement.