ICC official questions Nupur Mehta on fixing allegations

An ICC anti-corruption investigator has questioned Bollywood starlet Nupur Mehta in connection with the match and spot-fixing allegations made by a British newspaper a few months ago.

An ICC anti-corruption investigator has questioned Bollywood starlet Nupur Mehta in connection with the match and spot-fixing allegations made by a British newspaper a few months ago.

Mehta, whose name first surfaced when London's 'Sunday Times' carried out a sting operation on a Delhi bookie in March, said that she met ICC anti-corruption and security officer Alan Peacock at a Mumbai hotel today and was able to "clear the air" that she was not involved in any fixing activity.

In the sting operation, done to investigate allegations of match-fixing in the 2011 World Cup, specifically the semifinal match between India and Pakistan in Mohali, a suspicion was raised on Mehta being used by bookies to lure players.

"ICC anti-corruption and security unit head Alan Peacock quizzed me in Mumbai for two and half hours today. He was the only official representing the ICC. There was a list of questionnaires. He asked me who all I know in cricketing world both India and international players. I took names but I won't reveal it to the media," Mehta said.

The ICC, however, refused to comment on the development, saying that it does not normally comment on anti-corruption related matters.

Mehta said she told the ICC official that she was not involved in match-fixing and the cricketers she befriended with were also not involved in such activities.

"I have complete faith in ICC investigating unit. They gave me a clean chit today and said that they would not interrogate me again. I told them the cricketers I took the names are not involved in fixing at all. They are innocent. I proved myself right. I have cleared the air," she said.