New Delhi/Mumbai: Pakistani links and the involvement of the Mumbai underworld have surfaced in investigations into spot-fixing in Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, in which fast bowler S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates have been arrested, police said yesterday, adding that more arrests were expected.
Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila and 11 bookies arrested for alleged spot-fixing were sent to five days’ police custody by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma.
“We had information that Mumbai underworld is indulging in match-fixing or spot-fixing and have contacted a number of bookies and some players,” Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said, giving details of the arrests in Mumbai on Wednesday night.
“There are overseas connections and there is evidence to prove that the underworld is involved. But there is no concrete evidence of any (gang) members of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim (being involved) so far. But, it can’t be ruled out,” he said at a crowded press conference.
Asked who the individual is, he said: “We know the name but that could be the assumed name. That’s why we are not sharing with the press. The number he was using was of Dubai but you can use Dubai’s number sitting somewhere else.”
But, according to Mumbai police sources, the arrests were made after tracking phone calls, at least two dozen of which originated in Pakistan.
A couple of bookies of the seven arrested from Mumbai are allegedly linked to Dawood, who is said to be in Pakistan, sources said.
The Delhi Police commissioner said the suspects were under watch since April and it was found that match fixers and bookies from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and players participating in the IPL were conspiring in spot-fixing.
He said the bookies used to spot “vulnerable” players who could be easily contacted.
While Sreesanth, his Rajasthan Royals colleagues Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, and 11 bookies have been charged with cheating and criminal conspiracy, Neeraj Kumar said there was a “distinct possibility” the cricketers will also be booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, which deals with combating organised crime and terrorism.
Detailing the modus operandi, he said: “Bookies also told them that they would have to give indications before start of an over about giving away runs. The indications included rotate your watch, put a towel in your trousers, take some time looking around the field, take out a locket or chain from your shirt and lift vest/shirt.”
The first incident of spot-fixing, he said, was discovered in the May 5 match between Pune Warriors and Rajasthan Royals. The May 9 match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals and the May 15 match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals were also affected.
Noting that they had 100 hours of audio clippings as evidence, the police chief said there was proof that spot-fixing was happening in other teams as well.
The 14 arrested were sent to police custody till May 21.
Police had sought seven days’ police remand, contending they had collected 55 mobile phones and laptops, and data from the laptops, which was in code words, needed to be recovered.
IANS
