New Delhi:
The massive spot-fixing scandal that has cast a shadow on the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is getting murkier every day, with more people - cricketers and alleged bookies - being arrested by the police. 19 people have been arrested so far.
Here are the people whose names have so far figured in the scam:
S Sreesanth: The world sat up shocked when this Kerala pacer was arrested last Thursday on alleged spot-fixing charges. He is currently in police custody and is being interrogated by the Delhi Police. Sources say that Sreesanth has allegedly told the police that he is being framed because of links with a bookie named Jiju Janardhan. His family and lawyer have denied Sreesanth's involvement in spot-fixing. His franchise, the Rajasthan Royals, has suspended Sreesanth's contract pending enquiry. (Read: What Sreesanth did, according to Delhi Police)
Ajit Chandila: Another high-profile arrest in the alleged spot-fixing scam, Ajit was Sreesanth's team-mate in the Rajasthan Royals. The only cash recovered so far in the case has been Rs 20 lakh from a cricket kit bag that the police allege belongs to Chandila. The bowler from Faridabad was paid an advance of Rs 20 lakh by bookies to fix an over, the police have alleged. They quote the transcript of an alleged phone conversation where Chandila purportedly told a bookie that he would pull out his two t-shirts to indicate he was beginning a fixed over. He is being questioned by the Delhi Police.
Ankeet Chavan: The third Rajasthan Royals player arrested last week from Mumbai on charges of spot-fixing. He is being interrogated by the police in Delhi. Sources in the police said that Ankeet allegedly broke down and admitted to "making a mistake" during his questioning. His family, however, told NDTV that Ankeet was innocent. Rajasthan Royals has also suspended the contracts of both Chandila and Chavan.
Amit Singh: Gujarat's Ranji Trophy player Amit Singh, who has also played for IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals in the past, has been arrested by the police for allegedly being a "talent-spotter" for the bookies. He is being questioned by the Delhi Police. The BCCI has suspended him, pending enquiry.
Jiju Janardhan: He is among the 19 people arrested for the alleged spot-fixing scandal and is in police custody. He is believed to be a bookie and belongs to Kannur, Kerala. Sources say he played club cricket with Sreesanth earlier.
Baburao Yadav: Once a remarkable talent, 30-year-old former Ranji player Baburao Yadav is now in police net in connection with spot-fixing. According to the police, Yadav allegedly introduced Sunil Bhatia, a suspected bookie who has been arrested, to suspended Rajasthan Royals player Ajit Chandila. Yadav was employed with the Indian Railways. He was posted at Nagpur with the South Central Railways before getting suspended.
Manish Guddewar: Another former Ranji player who has been arrested from Aurangabad. 32-year-old Guddewar used to play for the Indian Gymkhana Club in Nagpur along with Baburao Yadav. He too allegedly knew Chandila and got him in touch with other bookies, the police said.
The Mumbai Police has also arrested six bookies including Ramesh Vyas, which it says has links with Sunil Dubai, an alleged mediator between bookies and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Anees Ibrahim.
Vindoo Dara Singh: The son of wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh has been arrested by the Mumbai Police for his alleged links with bookies. Sources say he was named in the scam by Ramesh Vyas.
Chandresh Patel, Manan: The two alleged bookies arrested by the police from Mumbai. While Chandresh is based in Mumbai, Manan operates from Ahmedabad, according to the police. Other bookies who have been arrested are Deepak Kumar and Rakesh. All these men are being interrogated currently.
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