Sreesanth, two other Rajasthan Royals’ players arrested for spot-fixing

Mangalore Today/NDTV

New Delhi, May 16: Kerala Pacer S. Sreesanth and two other players of the Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League team have been arrested by the Delhi Police and charged with spot-fixing in the on-going tournament.

Sreesanth and the others, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, were arrested in a secret swoop at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai, where they were staying, and will be brought to Delhi to be produced in court. 

 

The police have also arrested seven bookies. Police sources said the players have been accused of spot-fixing in different matches this week. They also said that the arrests were part of an investigation conducted over months by the special cell of the Delhi Police into alleged spot-fixing in the cash-rich IPL tournament, the sixth edition of which is being played now.

The Rajasthan Royals franchise, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, has said in statement that, "We are completely taken by surprise... 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." (READ full statement)

30-year-old Sreesanth, a veteran of 53 ODIs and 27 Tests, has been in controversy before over a fight with spinner Harbhajan Singh in the 2008 edition of the IPL.

Chandila, 29, has played for Haryana and the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL previously. Chavan, 27, has played for Mumbai.

Spot fixing is the manipulation of a particular ball or wicket in a cricket tournament, which is then betted upon.

Betting on sports is illegal in India but is allegedly big business in the IPL and is  run by underground syndicates in Mumbai and other parts of the country. Sources said bookies often operate out of vehicles now to avoid detection.

 

Rajasthan Royals’ statement on Sreesanth, two others’ arrest on charges of spot-fixing


The following is a statement issued by the Shilpa Shetty - co-owner of the team - on the matter:

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.

 

BCCI suspends three Rajasthan Royals cricketers

New Delhi, May 16, 2013: The Indian cricket board Thursday suspended three Rajasthan Royal cricketers S. Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, who were arrested on charges of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League.

The three cricketers were arrested in Mumbai by the Delhi Police’s special cell late Wednesday night after the Rajasthan Royals’ game with Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium there. Chavan played in the match that Rajasthan Royals lost by 14 runs while Sreesanth and Chandila were left out.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it was shocked with the arrests of the three cricketers.

"The BCCI is shocked and saddened at the recent developments. The BCCI has zero tolerance to corruption. We will offer all cooperation to Delhi Police and all other authorities in their investigations in this matter. The IPL Governing Council has met and decided that the cricketers found involved will be dealt with severely.

"As of now, the 3 players viz; Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and S. Sreesanth stand suspended pending enquiry. All information required to bring the persons involved to book will be collected and strictest action will be taken, if found guilty," BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.