Mumbai underworld involved in spot-fixing: Delhi police chief

New Delhi, May 16 (IANS): The Mumbai underworld is involved in spot-fixing in Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in which Indian fast bowler S. Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates were arrested Thursday, Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar said.

“We had information that Mumbai underworld is indulging in match-fixing or spot fixing and have contacted a number of bookies and some players,” Neeraj Kumar said, giving details of the arrests of three players and 11 bookies in Mumbai.

“There are overseas connections and there is evidence to prove that the underworld is involved,” he said at the crowded press conference.

He, however, refused to give more details about the underworld connection, saying the “case was still under investigation.”

A Delhi Police team Thursday morning arrested Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals colleagues Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila for cheating and criminal conspiracy and the 11 bookies.

Neeraj Kumar said that the special cell of the Delhi Police had been keeping the bookies under surveillance since April.

“The names of these three players came to light.. we waited for the situation when all three of them could be pinned down,” he added.

“Our team was present in all these matches. Last night our team was camping in Mumbai and soon after the match the decision was taken and three were arrested and so were the 11 bookies from different parts of the country,” he said.

Armed with the video clips of the give-away runs, the police chief also read out transcripts of the conversations between the players and the bookies.