IPL rot deeper, but no hard evidence: Cops

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A crime branch official with one of the three bookies arrested in connection with IPL spot-fixing at Killa court in Mumbai

Information available with the Delhi police’s special cell has revealed that spot-fixing allegedly took place in at least 15 matches in the current IPL season with the involvement of as many as 25 players from different teams. However, in the absence of any concrete or direct evidence against these players, the special cell did not proceed against them as weak evidence in such a sensitive case would not stand the test of trial in a court of law.
“Since we had strong technical, forensic and circumstantial evidence against the three Rajasthan Royals players we proceeded only against them. In other cases, the evidence was not foolproof since the names of players cropped up during conversations of bookies but there was no direct contact between the players and the bookies. But there is no doubt that more players are involved in spot-fixing in the present IPL season,” a senior Delhi police official alleged.
Investigators have also stumbled upon “evidence” indicating spot-fixing in IPL Season 5 as well as one of the arrested cricketers, Ajit Chandila, was in constant touch with the bookies even then. This has been revealed during forensic examination of Chandila’s cell phone. In one tapped conversation, a person, purportedly Chandila is heard saying, “Even during last season you didn’t have any problem with me, so don’t worry.”
Top Delhi police sources said there was a possibility that Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra and may also be questioned in the days to come. However, investigating officials clarified that the team management is not involved in the spot-fixing scam but they want to seek some clarification from them.
The lawyers of the three players strongly denied they had admitted their involvement. On the contrary, the players’ lawyers claimed their clients were being framed by the police.
Senior police officials, including Delhi police chief Neeraj Kumar, questioned the three players on Friday. Investigations have confirmed that the main kingpin of the racket is Dubai-based bookie Sunil Dubai, alias Sunil Abhaychandani, along with close associate Suresh Nagri, alias Junior Kolkata. Sunil Dubai travelled frequently between Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai and London to strengthen his network of bookies. Incidentally, the main accused in the Hansie Cronje match-fixing case is also believed to be in London and it is suspected that Sunil Dubai had links to him as well.
Both Sunil Dubai and Suresh Nagri were in touch with at least 10 to 12 bookies in Lahore and Karachi who work for Anis Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. These Pakistan-based bookies gave instructions to Sunil Dubai and Suresh Nagri, who in turn passed them on to their network of 50 bookies across India.
Meanwhile, the police has also picked up a former player suspected to be a bookie and a crucial link in the betting syndicate.
The Delhi police, which has been at the receiving end for the past few months, won appreciation on Friday from Union home minister Sushilku-mar Shinde. “I congratulate the police. Whenever they do good work, I appreciate them,” Mr Shinde said. He added that the probe in the case is still at a “preliminary stage” and further details would be found by the police in due course of time.
Mr Neeraj Kumar also visited North Block on Thursday and met Union home secretary R.K. Singh where he is learnt to have shared the findings of the case. Mr Kumar later said that so far there is no evidence to prove that Dawood Ibrahim is linked to the spot-fixing scandal.
He said the role of the underworld in the illegal activity has not yet been established and that the calls made to Dubai numbers are still being examined.