Journalists to depose before panel probing DDCA affairs

THE LEGISLATIVE special inquiry committee probing alleged irregularities in the Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) may see journalists testifying before it on December 13.

On December 3, proceedings of the legislative committee became the first-ever to be opened to the media. Former cricketers Bishan Singh Bedi, Kirti Azad, Surender Khanna and Sameer Bahadur, secretary of the NCT (National Capital Territory) Cricket Association, made their submissions pertaining to the alleged irregularities for two hours.

Sources told The Indian Express that about five or six journalists had “volunteered” to depose before the committee, set up by the Delhi legislative assembly on June 13. The journalists have reported on the alleged scam in the DDCA, sources said.

“Theproceedingswillbeopen to the media unless the witnesses (journalists) say they want to give their statements in camera. Some are senior journalists. They will be called in batches of two or three at a time,” said a source.

The assembly had appointed the panel probing the DDCA row following a resolution passed by the 70-member Delhi assembly, which has 67 AAP MLAS, on June 13. In its fifth hearing, the ninemember panel comprising AAP MLAS heard and quizzed the four witnesses over various alleged irregularities in the DDCA.