E-Paper
Sreesanth wanted half of Rs 40-lakh in advance
Fast bowler S Sreesanth, who was arrested on Wednesday night in Mumbai charges of spot-fixing, had demanded 50% advance of the Rs. 40-lakh payment from the mediator. Harinder Baweja reports.More cricketers, matches under scanner
Fast bowler S Sreesanth, who was arrested on Wednesday night in Mumbai charges of spot-fixing, had demanded 50% advance of the Rs. 40-lakh payment from the mediator.
According to a transcript accessed by Hindustan Times, Sreesanth’s close friend Jiju Janardanan, who negotiated with bookie Chandresh Patel on the pacer’s behalf, was emphatic that Sreesanth would not take the risk of giving away runs unless he got 50% of the amount before the match.
Delhi police officials, who busted the spot-fixing scandal, said Rajasthan Royals player Sreesanth was paid Rs 40 lakh to concede 13 runs in an over during the ongoing T20 League on May 9 at Mohali.
In the transcript, Jiju tells bookie Chandresh alias Chand, "Aap try karo, maine bol diya (You try, I’ve already spoken to him). He (Sreesanth) is a bit stubborn about it. He's playing after a long time and doesn't want to risk it."
Senior officials in Delhi Police’s special cell confirmed to HT that Rs. 20 lakh were paid to Sreesanth a few minutes before the start of the match in Mohali in which, as per the transcript, the player bowled an over with a towel tucked in his trouser. The towel was a signal to the bookies.
The police, who had put Jiju’s mobile number 9747700019 under surveillance, said the mediator had elaborate conversations with Chand before they finalised the deal.
On May 9, the day that Rajasthan Royals had a match with Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, Jiju had a conversation with Chand, which went something like this:
Jiju: Jiju bol raha hoon, mil ke aaya hoon, sab confirm hai. Abhi jo baat karni hai woh yeh ki 20 match ke pehle chaheye. Manager will collect. (This is Jiju speaking, I have just met him, everything is confirmed. I have called up to say that Rs. 20 lakh has to be given before the match).
Chandu: Match ke pehle? Achha… bolenge toh teen-chaar baje dene jayega (Before the match? Okay… the money will be given around 3-4 pm).
Jiju: Aap try karo. Maine bol deya (You try, I have spoken to him). He is a bit stubborn about it. He’s playing after a long time and doesn’t want to risk it… I’m going to have lunch with him (Sreesanth) at one o’ clock. Second over ka confirm heh (He has agreed to do it in the second over).
Jiju, who negotiated on Sreesanth’s behalf, stayed at the same hotel as the bowler, and had easy access to him.
