IPL fixing: Sreesanth seeks copy of FIR

New Delhi -  India fast bowler S. Sreesanth, arrested and being quizzed for alleged spot fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has moved a Delhi court seeking a copy of the FIR registered against him.

The application, filed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Lokesh Kumar Sharma, asked for a copy of the FIR to prepare his defence.

Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals colleagues Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and 11 bookies were Thursday sent to five days police custody. Sreesanth’s advocate, Deepak Prakash, said the accused should be told about the grounds of arrest, adding that he is an international player and had no reasons to get involved in such acts.

The three cricketers and 11 bookies, arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Ahmedabad in connection with spot fixing, which includes bowling no-balls at pre-determined times, were sent to police custody till May 21.

Police had sought seven days police remand of the 14 accused for unearthing the entire conspiracy and to know the who are the other people or players involved in the fixing.

Their custody was needed to make them confront each other, police said.

Police had also said that their custody was needed to know the hawala channel used and the people involved in the money transaction.

All the arrested were charged under section 420 (Cheating) and 120 (B) (Criminal Conspiracy) of the IPC.

The Delhi Police arrested the three players in a post-midnight operation in Mumbai on May 16 for spot fixing in IPL matches for payments of upto Rs.60 lakh just for giving away a pre-determined number of runs in an over.

The cricketers had indulged in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches as per arrangements with bookies who have underworld connections abroad.