An ICC statement said, "The decision has been made after media reports on Wednesday indicated that the umpire was under investigation by Mumbai Police."
ICC chief executive David Richardson said, "In the wake of reports that the Mumbai Police are conducting an investigation into Asad Rauf's activities, we feel that it is in Asad's best interests as well as those of the sport and the event itself, that he is withdrawn from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy."
Three bookies — Sanjay Jaipur, Pawan Jaipur and Devendra Kothari — had allegedly sent a packet containing gold jewellery and high-end mobile phones to Rauf. But the goodies could not be delivered because the police began hunting for the trio. There is a red-corner notice against Sanjay and Pawan, who have fled the country. Kothari is believed to be in India.
TOI was the first to report on Wednesday about the probe against Rauf. He was one of the umpires in the May 15 match against Mumbai Indians in which Ankeet Chavan allegedly indulged in spot-fixing. Police said they would question him.
Rauf had courted controversy last August too
Earlier, actor Vindu Dara Singh had told police during his interrogation that they sent the packet through a hawala operator, Prem Taneja. "It was supposed to be sent as cargo. We alerted Delhi customs and stopped the consignment. We are ascertaining the details," a crime branch official said. Vindu said that as far as he knew, the packet contained some gold jewellery, expensive mobile and other lavish gifts. Vindu told cops that they wanted some favours from Rauf in future matches.
In the Champions Trophy, starting in England next month, Rauf was scheduled to officiate in a warm-up match between Australia and West Indies in Cardiff on June 1. Later, in the tournament group league stage, he was supposed to officiate in two matches in Cardiff, first on June 9 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand and second between West Indies and South Africa.
Rauf's career had taken a controversial turn in August last year when TOI exposed his links with Mumbai model and small-time actress Leena Kapoor who accused the umpire of sexually exploiting her with the promise of marriage.
Kapoor said Rauf's many cricket assignments kept bringing him to India and it was during those visits that they entered a relationship.
Rauf first denied the relationship but later admitted to it, especially after the TOI published pictures of him and the model. Kapoor later took back her complaint filed with the Mumbai police.
Rauf has always been very close to cricketers, especially the Indian players, and his numerous assignments in India, including the Indian Premier League, made him a favourite here. In IPL 2013, Rauf officiated in 13 matches, the last one being in a game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad on May 19.
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