Mumbai police last week
presented a chargesheet alleging Rauf was involved in an Indian Premier League
(IPL) betting scandal which surfaced in May this year and ended in life bans for
two Indian players, including Test paceman Sreesanth.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) withdrew Rauf from the Champions Trophy
in June before removing him from the Elite Umpire panel pending an inquiry by
the world governing body.
Rauf’s legal adviser, Syed Ali Zafar, said: “We have not officially received any
chargesheet from Mumbai police, we came to know whatever was reported in the
media.
“Rauf is a well-known, professional and a competent Pakistani umpire.
“We think Mumbai police is doing his character assassination and it’s a
conspiracy against him,” Zafar, flanked by Rauf, said at a press conference.
“Whatever is being reported in the press is all false and I strongly deny it on
behalf of Rauf. At the moment we don’t want to give any importance to it and it
doesn’t have any legality.”
Zafar said his client will not go to India to answer the allegations.
“As far as Rauf is concerned he has full confidence on Indian courts but he has
no faith in Mumbai police and at the moment we are not confident to go to
India,” said the lawyer.
Rauf added: “I was an employee of the ICC and I am answerable to them.
“ICC’s anti-corruption (unit) has investigated the matter, I have provided them
all the bank accounts. It’s been three months now and ICC has not contacted me,”
said Rauf.
Rauf has officiated in 48 Tests, 98 one-dayers and 23 Twenty20 internationals.