Cricketer Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals players arrested for spot-fixing
06:29AM Thu 16 May, 2013
NEW DELHI: In a high profile operation, Delhi Police Special Cell arrested cricketer S Sreesanth and two other cricketers on charges of spot-fixing. Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila have been arrested as well. Seven bookies have been arrested too.
The initial interrogation have revealed that the parts of IPL matches at Mohali and Mumbai were fixed.
Special CP Special Cell SN Shrivastava is supervising the entire operation. The role of more players is suspected, a source says.
Sources said that a team led by DCP Sanjeev Yadav were camping in Mumbai to execute this covert operation. They were acting on a tip-off followed by call interception of players and bookies.
The police team had waited to get proper evidence against the players and let go of two opportunities earlier even though they had prima facie proof of spot-fixing.
Finally the arrests happened on late Wednesday night at hotel Trident in Mumbai.
The cops have recovered money and proof of transaction between players and bookies.
The accused will be brought to Delhi on a transit remand after being produced at a Mumbai court. They will be interrogated to get to the core of conspiracy.
Spot-fixing is different from match fixing as the whole match and the result is not fixed but parts of the match are fixed such as balls, sixes and fours at particular times.
Co-owner Shilpa Shetty told TOI, "We have been informed that 3 of our players have been called in for investigation on spot-fixing in matches. We are completely taken by surprise. We do not have the full facts at this point and are unable to confirm anything."
"We are in touch with the BCCI on this matter. We will fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. The management at Rajasthan Royals has a zero-tolerance approach to anything that is against the spirit of the game."
Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer told PTI that the three players were picked up by Delhi police last night and the team management was co-operating with the investigation.
"Rajasthan Royals has zero tolerance for corruption and we will take action, if charges are proved," he said.
Owner Raj Kundra tweeted, "Just when IPL was going on so smoothly without controversies I woke up to the news of 3 RR players alleged spot fixing. Investigations r on.
When asked the repeated question is IPL fixed my answer is always IPL teams CAN'T be fixed but individual players who lack integrity can."
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said that he was awaiting details on the incident.
Special CP Special Cell SN Shrivastava is supervising the entire operation. The role of more players is suspected, a source says.
Sources said that a team led by DCP Sanjeev Yadav were camping in Mumbai to execute this covert operation. They were acting on a tip-off followed by call interception of players and bookies.
The police team had waited to get proper evidence against the players and let go of two opportunities earlier even though they had prima facie proof of spot-fixing.
Finally the arrests happened on late Wednesday night at hotel Trident in Mumbai.
The cops have recovered money and proof of transaction between players and bookies.
The accused will be brought to Delhi on a transit remand after being produced at a Mumbai court. They will be interrogated to get to the core of conspiracy.
Spot-fixing is different from match fixing as the whole match and the result is not fixed but parts of the match are fixed such as balls, sixes and fours at particular times.
Co-owner Shilpa Shetty told TOI, "We have been informed that 3 of our players have been called in for investigation on spot-fixing in matches. We are completely taken by surprise. We do not have the full facts at this point and are unable to confirm anything."
"We are in touch with the BCCI on this matter. We will fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. The management at Rajasthan Royals has a zero-tolerance approach to anything that is against the spirit of the game."
Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer told PTI that the three players were picked up by Delhi police last night and the team management was co-operating with the investigation.
"Rajasthan Royals has zero tolerance for corruption and we will take action, if charges are proved," he said.
Owner Raj Kundra tweeted, "Just when IPL was going on so smoothly without controversies I woke up to the news of 3 RR players alleged spot fixing. Investigations r on.
When asked the repeated question is IPL fixed my answer is always IPL teams CAN'T be fixed but individual players who lack integrity can."
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said that he was awaiting details on the incident.
Photos
