New Delhi:
Actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested yesterday for his alleged links with bookies accused of
spot-fixing in the IPL's on-going season, has reportedly told the police that he was in touch with the relative of an IPL franchise owner.
Sources say the police are investigating multiple calls made by the actor to a Chennai number. The calls were made over a period of six months, say sources.
His family, meanwhile, claims the actor is innocent. "My husband is innocent. He has done no wrong. He may have been friendly to some people but he is innocent. We do not even know what he has been blamed for. The Mumbai police have to say what he has done. We stand by him. He is a very decent man and well loved," Vindoo's wife Dina Umrova told NDTV today.
Charged with cheating and forgery, 49-year-old Vindoo, son of late wrestler-actor Dara Singh, was produced before a local court in Mumbai on Tuesday, which remanded him to police custody till Friday.
The Mumbai Police says Vindoo's custodial interrogation was needed to establish the chain of people involved in the racket as the actor was not only betting himself but was also aiding the bookies. (
Dramatis personae: In a spot for 'fixing' IPL matches)
Police sources say the actor was named in the scam by Ramesh Vyas, one of the alleged bookies arrested by the Mumbai Police last week. Vyas reportedly told his interrogators that Vindoo was friends with several influential bookies and allegedly facilitated them. Mumbai Police had reportedly taped telephonic conversations as evidence against the actor.
The Mumbai Police's Crime Branch says Vindoo along with being in touch with bookies, was himself into betting too, according to PTI.
The actor has on many occasions been spotted watching IPL matches and attending post-match parties.