New Delhi:
13 years after the Delhi Police registered an FIR for match-fixing in 2000, the chargesheet in the case involving a few South African cricketers including its former captain Hansie Cronje, was finally filed today. The scandal is touted to be one of the biggest ever to have hit international cricket.
The details of the chargesheet:
Besides late South African captain Hansie Cronje, the other prime accused in the case is Sanjeev Chawla, a London-based bookie, who was heard discussing match fixing details with Cronje over the phone. Mr Chawla used to remain in constant touch with Cronje and stayed in the same hotels as the late cricketer.
Mr Chawla left for London on March 15, 2000. He is described as "the conduit between the bookies and the South African captain." He allegedly paid Cronje Rs 1.20 crore in two installments.
The other four accused are: Rajesh Kalra, Sunil Dara alias Bittoo, Manmohan Khattar and Krishan Kumar, brother of Gulshan Kumar of T-Series fame.
Mr Kalra, Mr Dara and Mr Kumar are out on bail while Sanjeev Chawla and Mr Khattar are absconding. Police suspect Mr Chawla is in UK and said they may start extradition proceedings against those still absconding.
Police have charged the six accused under IPC 420 (Cheating) and 120B (Criminal conspiracy). The chargesheet runs into over 2500 pages, with an operative portion of 80 pages. 65 witnesses were listed in the case.
In the chargesheet Delhi Police say, "There is sufficient evidence to prove that the accused had entered into a conspiracy to fix cricket matches played between Indian and South Africa from 16/2/2000 to 20/3/2000."
Although the chargesheet says that proceedings against Hansie Cronje should be abated since he died in a chopper crash in 2002, his role in the conspiracy is highlighted in the chargesheet.
"Entire commission of offence of fixing matches between India and South Africa would not have been possible without the active involvement and planning on part of the then captain of South African cricket team," the chargesheet says.
Former South African cricketers Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs have also been mentioned in the chargesheet. They were allegedly paid USD 15,000 each for underperforming in matches. Delhi police say there wasn't much evidence against them to make them an accused.
But the Delhi Police said they had reiterated their statements made in front of the Kings commission, where the two former South African players had admitted to their crime.
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