India Cements, which owns the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise, has said Gurunath Meiyappan is neither the owner nor CEO/Team Principal of Chennai Super Kings.
Meiyappan, the son-in-law of N. Srinivasan, President, Board of Control for Cricket in India and Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of India Cements, has been summoned by the Mumbai Crime Branch police in connection with ongoing investigations relating to betting in IPL.
But, according to a lawyer familiar with company law, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, the company may not be able to distance itself from the issue
According to the lawyer, not all engagements require paper-work. While the company may resort to technicality, the IPL franchise has held out to the world that Meiyappan is its representative/agent. Past interviews and tweets by Meiyappan also point out that he was actively involved in the team and its composition, added the legal expert.
T.S. Raghupathy, Executive President, The India Cements Ltd, said in the company statement, “Gurunath is only one of the members (Honorary) of the management team of Chennai Super Kings. India Cements follows zero tolerance policy and if anyone is proved guilty, strict action will be taken immediately. India Cements assures full co-operation with BCCI and the law enforcement authorities.”
Meiyappan was often seen in the players’ dug-out during IPL matches. He was also part of the player auctions.
Incidentally, Meiyappan’s twitter account till recently said he was the Team Principal, Chennai Super Kings. It now says he is Managing Director, AVM Productions and Entertainment, AVM studios, AVM constructions.
swetha.kannan@thehindu.co.in