This Article is From May 29, 2013

Spot-fixing case: Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila sent to judicial custody till June 4

New Delhi: S Sreesanth and Ajit Chandila, the two tainted cricketers arrested by the Delhi Police in the spot-fixing scandal, have been sent to judicial custody till June 4 by a Delhi court. The two cricketers have been taken to Tihar Jail.

The Delhi Police in court argued that they needed 30-year-old Sreesanth's police custody to be extended to recover the cash paid in the spot-fixing scandal, but the judge turned down their request.

"Admittedly, Sreesanth cannot be held liable for instances at his back. I am of the considered opinion that it would amount to injustice to the accused," the court replied to the police argument that immediately after the Kerala pacer's arrest, his hotel room was cleaned up and some articles were removed.

The court also pulled up the investigators for not showing any fresh ground to take the custody of Sreesanth, saying as to why he should be handed to "your hospitality" for two days.

"How will you (investigators) establish that the removed articles belong to Sreesanth as anyone can plant to falsely implicate him," the court said.

The court will hear arguments on Sreesanth's bail application on June 4, the day his judicial custody ends.

Along with the two cricketers, two bookies - Ashwani Aggarwal and Chandresh Patel - were also sent to judicial custody till June 4. The court also rejected the bail plea of Ankeet Chavan, the third Rajasthan Royals player arrested for spot-fixing. (Read: Chavan denied bail for marriage)

Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan were arrested on May 16 by the Delhi Police. The three cricketers have been suspended by their franchise Rajasthan Royals, pending inquiry.

Delhi Police alleges that Sreesanth was paid Rs 40 lakhs by bookies to give away 14 or more runs in an over in a match against Kings XI Punjab on May 9. Chandila, they allege, spot-fixed in a match against Pune Warriors India on May 5. He was paid an advance of Rs 20 lakhs to fix the over. Chandila was also the middleman between Chavan and bookies.

Last evening, the Delhi Police had arrested three bookies who they suspect will lead them to Amir, a man who is apparently the link between Indian bookies and the masterminds in Dubai.
 
Meanwhile, actor Vindu Dara Singh was also produced in a court in Mumbai today and his police custody was extended till May 31. (Read more)
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