Tainted trio got Rs 60 lakh from bookies, say police

Mangalore Today/DHNS

New Delhi, May 16, 2013: The IPL today found itself engulfed in a sensational spot-fixing scandal after Indian paceman S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates were arrested by the police which claimed that they received upto Rs 60 lakh from bookies for bowling one manipulated over.

A special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth and his teammates -- Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- in Mumbai early this morning for indulging in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches as per arrangements with bookies who have underworld connections abroad.

The players, who have been suspended by the BCCI, have been brought to Delhi and charged under section 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

 

They are also likely to be booked under the stringent MCOCA, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, which could land them in jail without bail and their confessions before a DCP level officer will be admissible in court.

Addressing a crowded press conference, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said 14 bookies have also been arrested in connection with the same case. The Delhi Police are looking for two more bookies but have ruled out any other player’s involvement in the case.

The police revealed explosive details of the modus operandi followed by bookies and the cricketers, giving audio-visual proof of three IPL matches which were manipulated.

Kumar listed three Rajasthan Royals’ matches -- on May 5, 9 and 15 against Pune Warriors, Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians respectively -- where spot-fixing took place.

Kumar revealed how bookies gave the caught players specific approval codes which were used to signify a compromised over during the matches.

A shocked BCCI promptly suspended the three players from the IPL and referred the matter to its Disciplinary Committee for further action. A top BCCI source indicated that the trio could be banned for life.



Delhi Police details conversations between bookies, players


Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar Thursday gave out details of conversations between bookies and players. This led to the arrest of three Rajasthan Royals players S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan as well as 11 bookies on charges of spot fixing in Indian Premier League matches.

Some excerpts, translated from Hindi:

Chandila: Yes, tell me brother.

Bookie: Do the first over with lot of confidence and in the same way bowl in the second over.

Player: ok, ok will do.

Bookie: what will be your signal.

Player: I will pick up my t-shirt twice. And will then look up at the sky before starting the over

This conversation was before the May 5 match between Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors  in Jaipur. According to police, Chandila had to give 14 runs for which he had to carry out predetermined signals before starting the over. However, he forgot to give the signals as a result of which the bookies could not bet in this match and this led to lot of arguments. The deal was fixed over Rs.40 lakh.

Second conversation:

First Bookie: Brother give me signal. What will be the signal.

Second Bookie: I have told them. he will not do any thing that would be unusual.
First Bookie: Brother please advise him. We want some time to start the booking before starting the over.

Second Bookie: Yes ok.

This conversation was before the May 9 match that was played at Mohali between Rajasthan Royals and Kings Eleven Punjab, police said at the press conference.
In this match Sreesanth had a conversation with a bookie. Sreesanth told the bookie that he would put a towel in his trouser pocket before bowling the second over of his spell, which would also give enough time to the bookie for betting. As decided, Sreesanth bowled the first over without wearing the towel, in second over the towel was seen in his trouser. And then went on to give 13 runs. The deal was fixed for Rs.60 lakh.

Third conversation:

Chavan: I am outside somewhere.

Chandila: Should I say yes.

Chavan: Yes, but how much?

Chandila: They are saying 12.

Chavan: No this much is not possible.

Chandila: I have given them assurance. Should I say yes.

Chavan: Ok. say yes

Chandila: I have told them Rs.60.

Chavan: Yes ok. I will move my wrist band as an indication.

This conversation was before the May 15 match that was in Mumbai between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. Chandila was not playing. He was acting as a go-between the bookies. Chavan was to take Rs.60 lakh for one over and perform as per the direction of the bookies. He was asked to give at least 13 runs in the second over of his spell, police said.