National selector from East Zone Devang Gandhi was involved in an unsavoury incident on Thursday when he was asked to leave the Bengal dressing room for unauthorised entry by the BCCI anti-corruption unit at the Eden Gardens.
As frequent breaks owing to bad light curtailed the Ranji action between Bengal and Andhra, Gandhi wanted to get into the Bengal dressing room to consult the team physio.
However, senior players, including former captain Manoj Tiwary, cited anti-corruption protocol and Gandhi was asked to leave. "We have to follow anti-corruption protocol. A National selector cannot enter the dressing room without authorisation. Only players and officials who have their mug-shots at the entrance have access to the dressing room," Tiwary told reporters.
Gandhi maintained that he had not broken any anti-corruption protocol. "Knowing that I was having a back problem Bengal coach Arun Lal asked me to consult the team physio.
“Before entering the dressing room I took permission from the anti-corruption official and asked the physio to attend to me in the CAB medical room," Gandhi presented his point.
In the end CAB secretary Abhishek Dalmiya stepped in to get the situation under control and clear Gandhi of any misconduct.
“Mr. Devang Gandhi, being a National selector, wanted to enter the dressing room area today when the game was not in play. He was allowed to enter the PMO (players and match officials) area as a temporary visitor by the ACU official only after obtaining necessary permission from the match referee.
"However, when Mr. Gandhi wanted to get some medical treatment done, he was instantly asked by the ACU officer to get it done in the medical room outside the PMO area in order to maintain required protocol. Accordingly, Mr. Gandhi moved to the medical room forthwith to ensure there is no breach,” said a statement signed by Dalmiya.
