A team of Mumbai police officers, assisted by the Tamil Nadu police on Sunday conducted a search at the residence of suspended CSK CEO Gurunath Meiyappan and seized his diary and some documents. The team searched the rooms in the basement, ground floor and the first floor before inspecting five cars that were parked inside the compound. The raids continued till 6.15 pm.
Police sources said the team reportedly looking for electronic evidence, including mobile phones and SIM cards used by Meiyappan and related information in computers and laptops. Two mobile phones belonging to Meiyappan were reportedly seized but the information could not be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the locality where Meiyappan’s residence is located remained unusually quiet, as none of the residents stepped out of their houses and only security guards stood outside. The stretch of houses in the second lane of Cenotaph Road was lined with outdoor broadcasting vans and cameras as mediapersons patiently hung around the lane waiting to get a sound byte from the Mumbai team. But the team left the residence without saying a word.
Even the two security men at the house said they were not aware of what was happening inside. Two other security guards outside the house also remained mum. “It is usually silent on Sundays. There are many bungalows and apartments here. Everybody stays at home on Sunday,” said a helper of an adjacent house. The lane did not witness even a single visitor till the evening when three youngsters claiming to be curious fans of the CSK, walked onto the street and waited outside the house.
“We just came in after we saw media vans. We do discuss about the betting and fixing issue but it is not proven. We are sure that CSK will win and hope CSK plays the next season,” said one.