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'I fail to understand how I am named as a middleman between cricketers and bookies'

I B Parikh In Ahmedabad

Hiren Hathi is cricket icon Kapil Dev's business partner. Overnight he has become a sensation in Ahmedabad. Two days back the Income Tax authorities and Central Bureau of Investigation, in a joint operation, raided his residential and office premises. The raid lasted 12 hours, during which Hathi was questioned by the sleuths about investments made by Kapil Dev and Ajay Jadeja in Gujarat and, of course, match-fixing.

According to him, the CBI asked focused questions. They, he said, were particularly looking for information on the third Test between India and New Zealand, at Ahmedabad, from 29 October to 2 November, 1999, where the Indian team did not enforce the follow-on and go for the kill.

Fifteen years back Hathi came from Rajkot to Ahmedabad to pursue a career in academics. When he became general secretary of his college he invited Kapil Dev to preside at a college function. The chance meeting proved to be the turning point of his life. Today, as Hathi claims, he even has access to the cricket legend's kitchen, and regularly supplies Shrikhand (Gujarati sweet dish) to Kapil's wife Romi from Ahmedabad. Clad in track-suit and white t-shirt, Hathi was calm and confident when this correspondent met him Saturday morning. Excerpts of the conversation:

After the raid at your premises have you talked with Kapil Dev?

Yes, on Friday I had a half-hour chat with Kapil. He is very upset because they have tried to present me as his bookie. Kapil told the tax men and CBI authorities, "Is bache ko aapne kaise bookie bana diya (How have you made this boy a bookie?). He is just handling my business." Anyway it's all over, but I am not a bookie.

Is it true that you handle Kapil Dev and Ajay Jadeja's businesses?

Yes, it's true that I handle the business interests of Kapil Dev and Ajay Jadeja. Kapil Dev's 'Dev Moscow Lighting Private Limited' has done the lighting of the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. I am handling the foreign collaborations of Kapil's company. I purchased a car out of the commission I earned from him. Ajay's 'Jadeja Consultants Private Limited' gets the exclusive contracts of hoardings of all matches played in Gujarat. I handle his business too. I have a personal relationship with the cricketers but I am not a bookie.

There are enough eyewitnesses who have seen you talking on your mobile phone with cricketers in the dressing room. Many bookies too have been seen in your company...

(Laughs) Are, yaar, don't act like the CBI. What I told the CBI hundred times let me repeat. Brother, I work for Ajay Jadeja and Kapil Dev. I do public relations and I liaise with people on their behalf. I introduce journalists like you to the cricketers; I also introduce others. It's not written on the face of anybody that he is a bookie. That's why I fail to understand how I am named as a middleman between cricketers and bookies.

Have they found anything?

Why don't you read the panchnama? They haven't found anything from my bank lockers. From my house they got Rs. 6,500. If I am gambling they should have got something for the heck of it, at least. I had a hunch when Kapil's name cropped up in the match-fixing controversy. I anticipated the CBI raid. Rather, I was surprised to see Income Tax men in my house.

People were advising me to change my cell number. I should have changed my telephone diary. I didn't do so. That shows I am not guilty.

Isn't it true that you introduced Mona Mehta, an acquaintance of one bookie to Kapil Dev?

Look, everyone in Gujarat knows that I have personal relations with cricketers. I introduce many cricket fans, including female cricket fans, to the cricketers. I haven't introduced Mona Mehta to Kapil. I don't know any Mona Mehta.

Do you think matches are fixed in India?

I firmly believe that if there is smoke, fire must be behind. Money crazy cricketers might have been involved in match-fixing but Kapil Dev is not into it. Kapl Dev might cut corners in the business but never in sports. Because cricket is his god.