Date:12/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/12/stories/2007121262271800.htm

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Nicky Boje questioned by Delhi police

Staff Reporter

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Nicky Boje coming out the Crime Branch office of the Delhi police on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: The former South African cricketer, Nicky Boje, was questioned by the Crime Branch of the Delhi police at the Gazetted Officers’ Mess in Daryaganj here on Tuesday in connection with a match-fixing case in 2000.

Mr. Boje was quizzed by a team comprising senior Crime Branch officers and headed by Additional Police Commissioner Satyendra Garg. He was accompanied by an Indian Cricket League lawyer. He denied his involvement in the scandal.

During the 90-minute session that started around 11 a.m., Mr. Boje was confronted with 39 questions on issues ranging from his debut in international cricket to the matches that came under the scanner after the Delhi police intercepted a telephonic conversation between the then South African captain, Hansie Cronje, and a bookie on negotiations to under-perform in some matches.

Denies involvement

After the questioning was over, Mr. Garg said Mr. Boje was interrogated about all aspects of the case and he denied his involvement. However, he said, the case was still open and further investigations would be conducted. If necessary, Mr. Boje might be summoned again for questioning.

It is learnt that Mr. Boje was asked about a team meeting during the 1996 tour to India in which Cronje mentioned about an offer to throw a match. Mr. Boje told the police that he did not play an active role in that meeting. He was also asked if he knew Hamid Banjo Cassim, who had alleged links with the bookie in question, Sanjay Chawla.

Mr. Boje was asked if Cronje had ever approached him asking him to under-perform for monetary gains, and he replied in the negative. He was also asked if he knew about the involvement of any member of the South African team.

Later, in a statement to the media, Mr. Boje said: “I was called for questioning in an old matter by the Delhi police. I met up with them and have responded to the queries raised by them. I look forward to continue playing in the ICL 20-20 tournament presently under way at Panchkula.”