We are getting threat calls, say Gaikwads

MUMBAI: For the Solapur-based Gaikwads, life became miserable a day after a sports firm promoted by them bagged the multicrore franchise for the IPL Kochi team. Reason: there’s pressure on them from several quarters asking them to give up the rights of the team.
Kisan Gaikwad, a retired executive engineer, one of the promoters of the Rendezvous sports club, was the first to receive such message.He was followed by his eldest son Ravi Gaikwad, a deputy regional transport officer, and then the youngest son Shailendra Gaikwad. ‘‘We are receiving threat calls. Shailendra was specifically informed that if he doesn’t give up his claim, they’ll completely damage my career. We are yet to recover from the shock,’’ Ravi Gaikwad told TOI on Tuesday.
‘‘I am not associated with the Kochi IPL franchise in any manner. It was unfortunate, I am being dragged into a different kind of controversy,’’ Gaikwad said. But he confirmed that after the multicrore bike scam was detected recently, he was among the 24 transport officials under scrutiny.