Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata: a letter And that is like a letter bomb has fallen in the field. CAB, the governing body of Bengal cricket, is shaken. CAB’s name was not mentioned in the letter addressed to state sports minister Indranil Khan. However, the officials of the organization came with a reply letter to the sports minister!

Former President of CAB IPL Abhishek Dalmia, a one-time member of the governing council, wrote a letter to Indranil Khan, alleging that a ‘reputable’ sports body in Maidan has been smeared with corruption. He also blasted that serious misdemeanors are happening like giving opportunities to players in exchange of money. More significantly, protesting or complaining about corruption does not lead to proper investigation. Instead, the crime is covered up. Abhishek appealed to the sports minister to start a helpline number. Where players, their family members, well-wishers of Maidan can file complaints anonymously. Abhishek also wrote in the letter that he was uncompromising with the corruption during his stay in the CAB administration. Apart from sending the letter to the sports minister, the letter was also posted on social media by the late Jagmohan Dalmiya’s son, the legendary cricket administrator.

Is CAB the ‘reputable’ sports organization mentioned by Abhishek? Did the former president raise questions about the transparency of the governing body of Bengal cricket, which has been accused of various irregularities? Strong speculation started about this.

However, on Wednesday, CAB president Sourav Gangopadhyay, treasurer Sanjay Dasera gave a reply letter to Abhishek’s sports minister. It was as if he accepted that Abhishek pointed the finger at CAB.

The letter addressed to the sports minister was written by the officials of CAB. Every letter that contains the cleaning and counter-missile firing. It reads, ‘We, the CAB office bearers are writing this letter to express our unwavering commitment to the transparency, credibility and development of cricket in Bengal. I want to assure you that the dreams and future of the youth of this state are protected by the cricket administration. Under lawful surveillance.’

After that, the CAB officials blasted one after another on the subject of Abhishek’s letter. It is written, ‘On June 13, former president of CAB Abhishek Dalmia posted the letter on social media and based on the news reported by various media, there is an idea about transparency, corruption and institutional decay in party elections. I cannot say what is happening in the entire arena including football, hockey, but I would like to draw your (Sports Minister’s) attention to the revised constitution following the recommendations of the Lodha Committee formed under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The constitution which the Indian Board and all affiliated organizations adhere to. According to the constitution, each organization has an ombudsman and an ethics officer. Retired Chief Justice of High Court or Supreme CourtThe former judges were appointed to that position. Calcutta High CourtFormer Chief Justice of India Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya has been in charge of the Ombudsman for the last two years and is now also the Ethics Officer.

The letter from CAB demanded, ‘Any complaint is dealt with with legal sanctity, impartiality, transparency and non-interference by officials. Any athlete, coach, parent or administrator may report a complaint directly to the Ombudsman with documentary evidence. Over the past 30 years, personalities like Vishwanath Dutta, Jagmohan Dalmia, Sourav Gangopadhyay, Abhishek Dalmia and Snehashis Gangopadhyay have been CAB presidents. Bablu Kole, Biswaroop Dey, Bablu Gangopadhyay (Subir) are or have been secretaries. There have never been allegations of institutional corruption or decadence. Although surprisingly as the recent letter implies, there has always been opacity except for his (Abhishek Dalmiya) tenure.’

In the letter sent by the CAB officials, the counter-complaint is that the incident is being misrepresented. No former president or secretary of CAB has written such a letter in public. CAB alleged that everyone in the organization was shocked by what they saw.

This is not the end, the sports minister has been requested to come in person and talk to the 140 members. Sourav was not only the captain of the national team, but became the president of the board, is the chairman of the ICC cricket committee, his integrity has never been questioned. BN Dutt, Jagmohan Dalmiad were also not accused of such. So it is not acceptable to claim clean only one tenure.

It has been said that when the former Chief Justice of the High Court is in charge of ensuring transparency, by posting such a letter in public, instead of seeking the right legal solution, only the problem of sports administration is being brought before the people. However, there was no such problem or complaint during his tenure as secretary and president till 2022. CAB’s letter reads, ‘I will say about opening anti-corruption helpline, CAB also wants it. The Ombudsman monitors these. You are requested to open the hotline as soon as possible and look into the above matters.’

At the end of the letter, the CAB has written as if launching a missile, ‘why at this time an idea has been tried to be created in the minds of the people, let it also be verified.’ Maidan believes that the upcoming CAB elections are pointed towards.

However, counter questions are also being raised about the letter.

One, Abhishek did not directly name why CAB-E was assumed to be his target? Where Abhishek has spoken about the corruption of the entire Maidan in the letter. Some of the CAB close to Abhishek have started saying that this is like a ‘Thakurgharre ke, ami toh kala khaini’ situation.

Two, the letter written on June 17 was signed by CAB President Sourav Gangopadhyay, Vice President Nitisaranjan Dutta, Treasurer Sanjay Das, Secretary Bablu Kole. It was also signed by Madanmohan Ghosh, identified in the letter as the former joint secretary. Here the question arises, when the CAB is removing the 70-year-old Madan Ghosh after much controversy, when the Apex Council meeting has been called on June 17 to fix the date of the special general meeting, and above all when being introduced as the former, how did Madan Ghosh sign this letter! Then Biswaroop Dey, Subir Gangopadhyay, Naresh Ojha should also have signed.

Three, if the former is the case, then how is Madan sitting on the chair with the nameplate on the light of the joint secretary’s room in the CAB?

The wind of the election for the post of joint secretary is strong. The post of secretary is also falling vacant at CAB’s annual general meeting in September. There are also possibilities of elections. Sourav-Sanjay’s meeting with the sports minister to arrange the electoral results?

Abhishek, however, did not respond to the CAB letter bomb on Wednesday. The sports minister has already told reporters that he will sit separately with him. Indranil Khan also asked for the time of debut. Maidan waits to see if Abhishek throws Brahmastra in return.