Srilanka, March 12 -- Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has pulled out of a Rs. 1,650-crore investment project in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua amid controversy over land for the same allocated to him 'free of cost'. Sources told India Today that he has applied to withdraw the project, which involves setting up a bottling plant for his beverage firm, and will now establish the same in Pune.

The ex-Lankan spin bowler was given land under the industrial policy. The matter stirred up a massive controversy with Opposition lawmakers raising concerns regarding allotting the plot to Muralitharan without any charge. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led Government, however, said it was completely unaware of the issue. ...