New Delhi:
The Delhi Police today arrested three cricketers from the Indian Premier League on allegations of spot-fixing. All three players, including Indian Test bowler
S Sreesanth, are from the Rajasthan Royals franchise. The police said today's arrests were made after months of investigations, that included intercepting telephone conversations.
Here are excerpts of taped conversations allegedly between bookies and the players released by the Delhi Police today.
The police say this first conversation took place before a match between the Pune Warriors and the Rajasthan Royals on May 5, allegedly between spinner Ajit Chandila and a bookie named Amit:
Chandila: Yes, tell me brother. Let me go. I will give the signal. Let the first over go. I will see.
Amit: Do the first over with confidence and with same confidence do the second over for us.
Chandila: Ok, Ok. I will do.
Amit: What will be your signal?
Chandila: I will pull my both T-shirts up and down and will then look up before starting the over.
In this over, Chandila, however, forgot to give the signal but allegedly gave away 14 runs as promised.
Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told reporters: "This led to a lot of arguments and demand for return of money (Rs 20 lakh) advanced to him. Another Rs 20 lakh was to be given after the match. Chandila had to return the money."
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The second conversation was allegedly between Sreesanth's close friend Jiju Janardhan, who has played in the same club as the Kerala pacer, and a bookie named Chand before a May 9 match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. It was allegedly decided that Sreesanth would give away at least 14 runs in the second over he bowled.
Chand: What will be the signal?
Jiju: I have told him. He will not do anything which is unusual. He will tuck in a towel before bowling the second over.
Chand: Brother please advise him to give us some time before starting the over as we can start our booking.
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The third conversation was allegedly between players Chandila and Ankeet Chavan before yesterday's match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. Chandila was not playing and allegedly "motivated" Chavan convincing him to give at least 13 runs in his second over.
Chavan: I am outside.
Chandila: Ok. Should I say yes?
Chavan: Yes, but how much?
Chandila: They are saying 12.
Chavan: No, I don't think that's possible. It will be too much.
Chandila: I have given them assurance. It will be done. Should I say yes?
Chavan: Ok. say yes.
Chandila: I have told them 60 (lakh) for one over.
Chavan: Yes Ok. I will move my wrist band as an indication. Rest we will talk on BBM.
Police said that in a later call, it was decided that Chavan will give away 14 or more runs whenever he bowls his second over.