S Sreesanth walked out of Tihar Jail on Tuesday after spending nearly a month behind bars in connection with the IPL spot-fixing case, says a report in the DNA.
Addressing the media after his release the cricketer said, "It was a testing phase for me, the last 27 days. It taught me a lot of things... I played the game with all the right spirit... I believe in the Indian judiciary and I am sure my innocence will be proved. I will surely abide by the process of law."
The cricketer was on Monday granted bail along with 18 others arrested on allegations of betting and spot-fixing in the IPL by a Delhi court. Sreesanth was arrested along with fellow Rajastha Royals players Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila on May 16 from Mumbai by the Delhi police. Sreesanth was in police custody for the first 13 days while for the rest of the period he was lodged in Tihar Jail.
"I am very happy and relieved. God has been kind to me. I must thank God first for sure and then my fans, family, friends, lawyer and all well wishers who stood by me during this testing time," he said.
According to a report in The Times Of India, a crowd of almost hundred people waiting outside the Tihar jail was left disappointed on Tuesday when Rajasthan Royals pacer S Sreesanth, who was released on bail in the IPL spot-fixing case, was taken out from a side gate to his counsel Rebecca John's office in Defence Colony.
The accused player, sporting a beard and a tilak on his forehead, addressed a hurriedly organized press meet there and mumbled: "I thank God for sure."
Sreesanth, who looked relieved, took his time to compose himself and added: "I also thank my family, friends, lawyers and media for supporting me. I don't want to forget what happened. It taught me a lesson for sure," he said, his voice drowning in the ensuing commotion created by a horde of media persons and some friends. "Sree, Sree, Sreesanth", the screaming got so loud that he stopped, bemused for a while.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Hindu, having secured bail after spending 27 days in jail, Sreesanth on Monday claimed he would prove his innocence. The India speedster, who was sent to prison following his arrest over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, was released on bail from Tihar jail on Tuesday.
“I have always played cricket according to the highest standard of the game. I always gave my heart and soul to the game,” he said. “I don’t want to forget what happened but it taught me a lot of things,” said Sreesanth.