New Delhi: Indian pacer S Sreesanth and 13 others, including two other cricketers of Rajasthan Royals franchise – Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chauhan, who were arrested by Delhi Police for spot fixing in IPL 6, were on Thursday sent to police custody for five days by a court here for being quizzed in connection with the shocking incident.
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 Thursday, 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.
REACTIONS
I'm deeply distressed: Dravid
"We have operated as a family, I am deeply distressed. We have the desire to win, and it has been evident throughout the tournament. I hope fans get behind the team as it has been a tough day for me and cricket,"said Rahul Dravid in a statement.
There is more to the IPL spot-fixing controversy: Lalit Modi
“I believe there is more to the IPL spot-fixing controversy. The cricket boards and administrators have to wake up now. I forwarded the emails to BCCI official which I recieved from a British journalist Edward Hawkins that a few IPL 2013 matches are likely to be fixed," Modi says.
The mastermind of the episode is sitting abroad: Delhi Police Commissioner
“The mastermind of the episode is sitting abroad. Who is he, I won't be able to tell you.
The Delhi police have over 100 hours of audio of the conversation between the tainted cricketers and the bookies. The players and bookies will be charged under the MCOCA act. All three players were aware of each other's roles.”
Rubbishes claims of Sreesanth's father about MS Dhoni's involvement in the episode, Delhi Police Commissioner said. "MS Dhoni did not put towel in his [Sreesanth's] pants. If needed, we will contact the Income Tax and Enforcement directorate departments. We were working on this since April. We only came across these three cricketers and since we had the evidences, we arrested them."
We will give severe punishments to those guilty: BCCI chief
The BCCI chief N Srinivasan said people have committed mistakes but that doesn't mean cricket should be stopped. "We will give severe punishments to those guilty. We do not know what the FIR states or the exact charges levelled on the cricketers. The Rajasthan Royals communicated to BCCI that they have zero tolerance. We will get more details from the police and then take further steps. One can't assume this will happen all the time," said Srinivasan.
"There are some bad eggs. Most of our players play very honestly, some acts cannot tarnish cricket," he added.
Srinivasan said the BCCI thought the action taken against the cricketers last year was enough. "We cannot police the country, we will re-examine to see if we need to take more steps," he said, adding that IPL can't be called untenable due to few bad eggs.
It's shocking: Gavaskar
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his "shock" at the current IPL 2013 spot-fixing controversy. He said the incident to be shocking. “You always expect the unexpected in T20 cricket. It's a great platform for players to showcase their talent. They are even rewarded over-handsomely. But if players are tempted to fix games, it is shocking," he told NDTV.
I am really feeling sorry for Rahul Dravid: Ganguly
Speaking to CNN-IBN, former India captain Sourav Ganguly said he was angry and disappointed. "I am disappointed and angry at what has happened. If found guilty they should be banned for life. This type of corruption is up to the player , no one can force you. The deed is done by the player, no one can force him. I am very upset with Sreesanth. This is a complete loss of a talent. I am really feeling sorry for Rahul Dravid."
Take strict action against those found gulity: Sports Minister
“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, Shri 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.”
BCCI suspends Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan
BCCI Statement: “The BCCI has zero tolerance to corruption. We will offer all cooperation 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,” the statement said.
“As of now, the three 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,” it stated.
“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 BCCI said.
