Mumbai:
Actor Vindu Dara Singh, who was arrested by the Mumbai Police for betting and later released on bail, said today that the police should first catch bookies and politicians who place bets.
Vindu said, "Crores of people in India place bets. If you want to stop betting in India, then catch hold of the bookies and not people who place bets. There are so many politicians and their sons who have bet, why don't they catch them," Vindu said.
The spot-fixing and betting scandal has rocked Indian cricket. Today, the Delhi Police said during questioning, co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, Raj Kundra, has admitted to placing bets worth Rs 1 crore in the last three years. Mr Kundra later tweeted "Will make formal statement soon rest assured I am not involved in any wrongdoings. Do not misconstrue silence 4 guilt. Truth will prevail."
Vindu said Mr Kundra is his "friend."
"He is a very nice man. Whenever Rajasthan Royals plays he says my team will win," he added.
Vindu was arrested by the Mumbai Police on May 22 for betting on charges of betting. His interrogation led to the arrest of BCCI president N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. According to police sources, Vindu had placed bets on behalf of Mr Meiyappan. The police say it has transcripts of conversations between Mr Meiyappan and Vindu as proof of their involvement in betting.
"We were just talking. We were saying whatever we felt. I think all those who play cricket in India, there are crore of them, all of them would speak in the same way we did. They called Guru and understood he is also not involved. That is why we are free."
Vindu has to appear before the Mumbai Police Crime Branch twice a week and cannot leave the country as per his bail conditions. He maintains he is innocent and will be exonerated by the courts.