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Players splurged advance paid to them by bookies
Investigation into the spot-fixing scandal has revealed that the three arrested players — S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan — had splurged the money given in advance to them by bookies on expensive apparel, mobile phones, wristwatches and other gadgets. Karn Pratap Singh reports.
Investigation into the spot-fixing scandal has revealed that the three arrested players — S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan — had splurged the money given in advance to them by bookies on expensive apparel, mobile phones, wristwatches and other gadgets.
In fact, Chandila had bought just two pairs of jeans worth Rs. 2.5 lakh and a Diesel wristwatch.
Investigators are zeroing in on Chandila who, it has been learnt, had been receiving threats from the underworld and some bookies. This could be the reason why he decided to be involved in spot-fixing, sources said.
A team of the Delhi Police special cell also visited his house in Badholi village, Faridabad. But the cops could not carry out searches as all family members were away in Delhi to visit Chandila’s ailing elder brother.
Investigators are further planning to approach Sony SetMAX, broadcaster of the T20 league matches, to obtain footage of Rajasthan Royals matches in which Chandila had played. Refusing to disclose details, they said he was paid between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh for fixing one of his overs in a match.
The police have now not only got confessions from all three players about their crime but also confirmed that Chandila was involved in spot-fixing in more than one match in the tournament’s last season as well.
In an intercepted telephonic conversation with a bookie after a match against Pune Warriors on May 5, he made a reference to his dealings with bookies last year.
“During the conversation, Chandila was heard saying he will sit with the bookies and settle everything, the way they did in the last season,” said a senior investigating officer.
(With inputs from Faridabad)
