Neetu Chandra and (above) her apartment in Patna. Telegraph pictures

Patna, Sept. 8: Her hometown is firmly standing behind Neetu Chandra, the actress in the spotlight for alleged links with Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Asif who is facing investigations in the spot-fixing crisis that has hit the game.

Neetu’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar has denied she was interrogated by the sleuths of the International Cricket Council. He reiterated that the actress has nothing to do with either Asif or match fixing.

“The reports about Neetu being interrogated by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of ICC are incorrect and baseless,” Bhagwagar said, adding that Neetu finds the allegations “funny”. Residents of Indralok Apartment situated at Patliputra Colony, where Neetu has a flat (No. 406), threw their weight behind the actress, saying the charges were all baseless. Even maid Leela could not stop praising her.

Residing on the same floor of the apartment, homemaker Mahjabeen Alam said: “Neetu can’t do that. She is being trapped by certain elements. They are those people who don’t want to see her go higher. These people can’t blame big celebrities, so they are simply picking up the mid-level ones. Neetu is so well-behaved that she touches our feet whenever she sees us. She does not know how to say ‘no’ to anything. Even other neighbours in this apartment don’t mix so well as Neetu does. If there is a shoot taking place on the terrace and if children are present there to watch her, she never reacts in a rude manner. She does not ask them to go away.”

Mahjabeen said there was no way Neetu could be involved with Asif.

Mahjabeen pointed out that Neetu is very attached to her family. “Not only did she spend lakhs on treatment of her father who was a cancer patient (he died a few months ago), but also takes care of her mother well. She does not let her stay alone in Patna (Neetu now lives in Mumbai with her family). Sattu ki poori is what she most of the times prepares for her mother. Although maids are there, still Neetu loves to prepare tea for her on her own,” she said.

Leela, who is Neetu’s old maid, could not help gushing about the young Bollywood actress. “I cannot even imagine Neetu would be involved with dubious people. She is so good that she always keeps on helping the poor. When my child was unwell, she gave me a heavy amount,” said the elderly lady.

M.N. Sinha, professor and head of the geology department residing in the same apartment, simply said: “It’s unfortunate to hear Neetu being involved in spot-fixing scandal. I don’t believe it.” Her young fans adore her. Atif Zafar of Class V said: “Neetu didi can never do anything bad.”

Bhagwagar, the publicist of the actress, said: “Neither does Neetu know Mohammad Asif, nor has she been to Indian Premier League (IPL) parties or events, as reported. Her name is unnecessarily being dragged in the match-fixing debate with unfounded allegations.”

He says: “The controversy began with a section of the media discussing a ‘leaked’ document, which it claimed, was prepared by Interpol and Scotland Yard for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Apparently, this document contains various phone numbers of people who interacted with Mohammad Asif in 2009. The media reports stated that in this document, the only mobile number from Mumbai belonged to actress Neetu Chandra, and insinuated that she could be involved in the infamous match-fixing scandal. It further claimed that according to the document, the actress had made two phone calls and exchanged texts with the controversial cricketer, discussing sensitive cricket issues and deals. Neetu is flummoxed about how her cell number has featured on such a scandalous list. She believes this could be a conspiracy.”

On the issue of cricketer’s ex-girlfriend Veena Malik dragging Neetu’s name in the match-fixing controversy through her interviews, claiming that “a Bollywood actress used to call Asif”, Bhagwagar said: “Without any concrete evidence, Malik is going on and on, talking about how she thinks Neetu Chandra is involved with Mohammad Asif. She is probably doing this for publicity, as we’ve heard that she herself has Bollywood dreams. If that is the case, then this is a cheap way to bag mileage.”