Sreesanth, others sent to 5 days police custody
New Delhi, May 16 (PTI): Arrested Indian pacer S Sreesanth and 13 others, including two other cricketers of Rajasthan Royals franchise, were today sent to police custody for five days by a court here for being quizzed in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal case.
Delhi police told the court that it seemed more persons are involved and fresh arrests are expected. The probe suggested that bookies had betted on some other players also, it said.
On a day of dramatic developments, Sreesanth and his IPL teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankit Chavan, who were arrested in Mumbai early today, were brought to the Saket district court complex here with their faces muffled along with 11 Mumbai and Delhi based bookies.
They were produced at the residence of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma inside the Saket court complex and asked to appear one-by-one before him.
Media was barred from entering the magistrate's residence which was under a thick security blanket.
During the hearing, special cell of Delhi police sought seven days of custodial interrogation of the cricketers and others to unearth the entire conspiracy relating to spot- fixing in three IPL matches involving Rajasthan Royals.
Pubic Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan, appearing for Delhi police, sought police custody of all the accused for confronting them with each other and with electronic evidence, including their laptops, collected during the discreet probe.
The custodial interrogation was required to ascertain, if any, the magnitude of conspiracy, Mohan said adding that the investigators also need to find out the source of money allegedly received by the cricketers for indulging in spot fixing.
During the arguments, the prosecutor claimed that several other matches in the IPL were also fixed and the accused are required to be interrogated regarding that also.
"Huge amount money is involved in the case," Mohan said.
Transcripts of tapped conversations between players, bookies
New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) : Excerpts of tapped conversations between bookies and IPL cricketers read out by Delhi Police during a press conference here announcing the arrest of three players and 11 bookies allegedly involved in spot-fixing:
The first conversation was before a match between Pune Warriors and Rajasthan Royals on May five allegedly between player Ajit Chandila and a bookie Amit:
Chandila: Yes, tell me brother. Let me go. I will give the signal. Let the first over go. I will see.
Amit: Do the first over with confidence and with same confidence do the second over for us.
Chandila: Okay, okay. I will do.
Amit: What will be your signal?
Chandila: I will pull my both T-shirts up and down and will then look up before starting the over.
In this over, Chandila, however, forgot to give the signal but allegedly gave away 14 runs as promised.
"This led to a lot of arguments and demand for return of money (Rs 20 lakh) advanced to him. Another Rs 20 lakh was to be given after the match. Chandila had to return the money," Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told reporters.
The second conversation was allegedly between Sreesanth's close friend Jiju Janardhan and a bookie Chand before May nine match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. Sreesanth was to give away 14 runs in the second over he bowled.
Chand: What will be the signal?
Jiju: I have told him. He will not do any thing which is unusual. He will tuck in a towel before bowling the second over.
Chand: Brother please advise him to give us some time before starting the over as we can start our booking.
The third conversation was between players Chandila and Amit Chavan before yesterday's match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. Chandila was not playing and allegedly "motivated" Chavan convincing him to give at least 13 runs in his second over.
Chavan: I am outside.
Chandila: Okay. Should I say yes?
Chavan: Yes, but how much?
Chandila: They are saying 12.
Chavan: No, I don't think that's possible. It will be too much.
Chandila: I have given them assurance. It will be done. Should I say yes?
Chavan: Ok. say yes
Chandila: I have told them 60 (lakh) for one over.
Chavan: Yes ok. I will move my wrist band as an indication.
Police said that in a later call, it was decided that Chavan will give away 14 or more runs whenever he bowls his second over. One of them said that they will talk about further details in BBM. PTI SJY PAL 05161948
IPL spot-fixing: Players used signals to communicate with bookies
Update: 3.45 pm
New Delhi, May 16 (PTI): Paceman S Sreesanth and two other bowlers belonging to the Rajasthan Royals IPL team who were arrested on Thursday for spot-fixing, received up to Rs 60 lakh for one over for giving away runs as per arrangements with bookies with underworld connections abroad.
The sensational arrests of the three players in the early hours of the morning in Mumbai by the Special Cell of Delhi Police has cast a shadow over the ongoing IPL tournament and the players have been suspended by the BCCI.
At a crowded press conference here, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the Special Cell had hundreds of hours of recordings of phone conversations between the players and bookies, 14 of whom have also been arrested. More arrests are on the anvil but the role of no other player, Indian or foreign, has come to light.
The players and bookies, who have been brought to Delhi, have been charged under section 420 (cheating) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) but 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.
Kumar gave a detailed account of the conversations that took place between bookies and the arrested Rajasthan Royals players -- Sreesanth and spinners Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila.
Kumar 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 revealed how bookies gave the caught players specific approval codes which were used to signify a compromised over during the matches.
"In certain overs they (the players) were supposed to give away a certain amount of runs. The bookies gave players instructions that they have to indicate that they would give away these runs," Kumar said.
"The instructions were 'put the towel in your trousers or take time setting up the field or take out the shirt or the vests that you are wearing'," added Kumar, elaborating on the signals that the players used to convey their consent for the bookies' instructions.
The top cop 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.
"The first instance that came to our notice was Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors on May 5. In this match, as already agreed upon, Chandila gave 14 runs in the second over of his spell but he forgot to give the predetermined signal due to which the bookies could not bet in this match," Kumar said.
"This led to an argument and demands for return of money. Rs 20 lakh was advanced to him and another 20 was to be given later. He had to return the money," he added.
DCP Sanjeev Yadav then gave an account of the conversation that took place between Chandila and a bookie named Amit Kumar before the match.
Chandila was supposed to pull up his shirt to signify the start of the manipulated over. Even though he conceded the agreed 14 runs but having forgotten to give the signal, the bookies could not place any bets.
The next match the police talked of took place on May 9 in Mohali.
"In this match, Sreesanth was to put a towel in his trousers before bowling the second over and give bookies enough time to indulge in heavy betting," said Kumar.
The DCP then stated that in this particular match, Sreesanth's close friend Jiju Janardhan was in touch with bookie Chandresh Patel.
"As decided Sreesanth bowled the first over without a towel. But in the second over he put a towel in his trousers and to give bookies time, he did some warm-up and stretching exercises," he said.
"He gave 13 runs instead of the agreed 14 in his over," said Kumar, adding that minor aberrations were not of much consequence for the bookies.
The police showed the clipping from the match in which Sreesanth bowled the compromised over with a towel.
The next game police talked about took place only the previous night against the Mumbai Indians.
"Ajit Chandela was not playing but he was acting as a go-between among the bookies and Ankeet Chavan to take Rs 60 lakh and perform as per the bookies' instruction. He was supposed to give 13 or more runs," Kumar said.
"He gave two runs in his first over and in the second over, in the first three balls itself he gave 14 runs after which he controlled his bowling and gave only one more run in the remaining three balls," he added.
"Chandila motivated Chavan, they had a chat with the bookies. Chavan said 'I would move my wristband' to signal," added Yadav.
Kumar said the police team was present in all these matches.
"Our team was present in all these matches. One of the reasons was because those signals could have been given during commercial breaks also, so, to keep track our team was watching the matches at the stadium," he said.
"Sreesanth was arrested at Carter road in Mumbai, Chandila outside hotel Intercontinental where some of the bookies were staying and Ankeet Hotel Trident," said Kumar.
Asked about how the investigation, Kumar said, "It was an information that we had that the Mumbai underworld is indulging in match-fixing or spot fixing and contacting a number of bookies and some players are mixed up," he said.
"We were keeping them under surveillance. The names of these three came to light and we waited for a situation when all three could be pinned down," he added.
Asked whether Dawood Ibrahim or other underworld dons were involved, Kumar said, "it is difficult to name anybody unless we have a credible proof. There is no evidence on which basis I can name any member of the underworld...But it is sufficient to say that there is an overseas connection and we have definite proof."
"These three players knew each other and they knew that each of them was involved."
Asked whether Australia's Shaun Tait or any other player is involved, Kumar said "We have no such evidence. According to us, Shaun Tait is not involved."
Kumar laughed off the allegations by Sreesanth's parents that India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni conspired to frame Sreesanth.
"This is totally wrong. Dhoni did not put the towel in his trouser," he quipped.
Kumar said the players and the bookies were being monitored since the beginning of IPL.
"We were tracking them since April. We allowed them to make mistakes...Mastermind is sitting abroad," he said.
The Commissioner said the mastermind in this episode is "sitting abroad".
Kumar said owners of IPL teams were not invovled besides ruling out the role of any batsman of any team in scam so far.
"This is not something which happens overnight. These people the bookies they spot talent, spot vulnerable people who can be compromised and they work over a period of time.
"The investigation that we have done, it is sheer coincidence that three players of the same team have come under our radar. We cannot say that it is not happening in other teams or other matches, we cannot say with certainty.
"In this investigation, only these three players have come," he said adding that they have informed the IPL management about what has happened.
Asked whether Sreesanth was the main man in bringing the two other players into bookies' fold as he was the senior among them, he said one cannot say. "He is not the central part," Kumar said.
Asked about Jiju, the "close friend" of Sreesanth who was arrested from Mumbai, he said, Jiju is a close friend of Sreesanth and he played with the cricketer in club level at their home district Ernakulam.
"Jiju was the conduit between Sreeshant and the bookies. Sreeshant was given Rs 40 lakh," he said.
He also said they may approach the Enforcement Directorate, DRI and Income Tax Department depending on the recovery of money.
Asked about the mysterious death of Special Cell Inspector Badrish Dutt, who was involved in these investigations, he said the developments in the spot-fixing case has nothing to do with Dutt.
Dutt was considered a master in technical surveillance and it was he who led the team which recorded the conversations between players and bookies.
Third Update
Bookies in IPL spot fixing may have Pakistan links
Update: 2.30 pm
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS): The India Premier League (IPL) spot fixing racket that has led to the arrest of three Rajasthan Royals cricketers, including India's fast bowler Sreesanth, could have links to Pakistan, Mumbai Police sources said Thursday.
Sreesanth and his colleagues Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandilia as well as seven bookies from Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad were arrested by Delhi Police here. According to police sources, the arrests were made on the basis of tracking phone calls, at least two dozen of which originated from Pakistan.
A couple of bookies of the total seven arrested from Mumbai in connection with 'spot fixing' are allegedly linked to absconder mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, who is said to be in Pakistan, sources said. Dawood is believed to be a veteran in cricket betting and match fixing.
The three cricketers, who have been suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pending an enquiry, and the two bookies were arrested late Wednesday from the Rajasthan Royals' team hotel Trident.
Delhi Police sources also confirmed IANS that the arrests were made on the basis of phone taps over two weeks.
"Delhi Police were tracking the phone calls of players and bookies for the last two weeks. And after they got concrete evidence of involvement of players arrests were made," a Delhi Police spokesperson told IANS.
Police are likely to probe a dozen matches in the ongoing IPL even as the Rajasthan Royals declared a 'zero-tolerance' attitude towards fixing and extended its full cooperation with the investigators on the issue.
Though investigators maintained silence on the issue, the probe may encompass more Indian and some foreign players in the current IPL.
AICC secretary and Congress MP from Mumbai North Sanjay Nirupam demanded a thorough probe.
"Not only the players, but also all those connected with the IPL should be thoroughly investigated and the BCCI must fully co-operate in the matter," Nirupam told media networks.
Last year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had suspended Shalabh Srivastava, Mohnish Mishra, T.P. Sudhindra, Amit Yadav and Abhinav Bali for spot-fixing in the IPL that was revealed in a sting operation by a TV channel.
Spot fixing came to light in 2010 when three Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Asif, Mohammed Aamir and then skipper Salman Butt were arrested during the Test series in England.
They were alleged to have carried out specific on-field actions, including bowling no-balls at pre-determined times, for payment, during the Lord's Test. The International Cricket Council (ICC) later handed them long bans and they were also convicted and sentenced to spells of detention in Britain.
Second Update
IPL spot-fixing: All three players suspended, Sreesanth's parents claim conspiracy
Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai, May 16: The BCCI has suspended Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila following their arrest by the Delhi police for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the ongoing IPL. They have been suspended pending inquiry.
In a press statement, the BCCI said, "The BCCI is shocked and saddened at the recent developments. The BCCI has zero tolerance to corruption. We will offer all co-operation to the 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.
"The BCCI engages the services of the anti corruption wing of the ICC to educate and monitor players and support staff in prevention of corruption of any form in the game. In fact, it is wholly unfortunate that despite such education, best playing conditions and terms of engagement offered, some players seem to be indulging in such activity."
The sports ministry too issued a statement: "It is very unfortunate that the Delhi Police have arrested some cricket players for their alleged role in the spot-fixing in the ongoing IPL tournament. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jitendra Singh has spoken to the Chairman of the IPL Shri Rajeev Shukla on the issue and impressed upon him to take urgent steps to put in place a mechanism to prevent such unethical activities and ensure clean sports in the country. The Minister also emphasized that strict action be taken against all those who are found guilty to serve as a deterrent to others."
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Sreesanth's mother alleged that it was a 'conspiracy' to defame her 'innocent' son. His father claimed that it was a ploy by Harbhajan Singh and Dhoni.
Television reports said that the police stumbled upon the spot-fixing racket while investigating an extortion case. The involvement of the notorious D-Company is not ruled out. Sources that around 50 calls were made to and from Dubai, Pakistan and India, and that payments were made through hawala.
Earlier Report
Sreesanth, two other players arrested for spot-fixing in IPL
New Delhi, May 16 (PTI): In a sensational development, Indian paceman S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested by the Delhi police on the charges of spot fixing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
The special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth from his friend's place in Mumbai while the other two cricketers were arrested last night from the team hotel at Nariman Point for their alleged role in spot fixing.
The arrest took place immediately after the players returned to their team hotel, following their match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium. The hosts won by 14 runs.
The Delhi police source said that these players were under the scanner for their role in spot fixing in some of the earlier IPL match although they did not elaborate which matches were under scrutiny.
The police have also arrested seven bookies in Mumbai and three bookies in Delhi in connection with the same case. They are looking for two more bookies in Delhi.
The development comes as a shock for the IPL authorities who have time and again grappled with controversies and scandals ever since the league was launched in 2008.
IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said he was awaiting details on the incident.
Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer said that the three players were picked up by Delhi police last night and the team management was co-operating with the investigation.
"We have been informed that three 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," said Rajasthan Royals in a statement.
"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," the statement added.