IPL spot-fixing roundup: Court drops charges against Royals trio but BCCI maintain life-ban stance

Sreesanth walks out delighted after being cleared of all charges on Saturday

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) A court here on Saturday dropped charges against cricketer S. Sreesanth and 35 other accused in the 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing case. The BCCI, however, said its decision regarding a life ban on the former pace bowler, shall remain unaltered.

Cricketers Ajit Chandila and Ankit Chavan were also present among the 36 people left out on bail by additional Sessions Judge Neena Bansal Krishna. The court announced its order in a jam-packed room -- full of lawyers, journalists and other people.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police moved a last-minute plea to conduct further investigation in the case citing that the recently published Justice Lodha Commission report has brought "new evidence".

The Delhi Police had arrested the Rajasthan Royals trio on May 16, 2013, for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL. They had initially chargesheeted them on July 30, 2013, for cheating and conspiracy under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The formal set of charges, running into 6,000 pages, named Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan, among other 42 accused, in the spot-fixing scandal related to the IPL-6 held in 2013.

Six accused, including masterminds Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel, are on the run. The duo have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case after police completed proceedings of their property attachment.

BCCI remain undeterred in their stand

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said the BCCI should not have a problem with Sreesanth making a comeback, now that the bowler has been cleared of all charges.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a press statement said the decision of the board based on its independent action, shall remain unaltered. In September 2013, the disciplinary committee of the board banned Sreesanth and Chavan for life for their involvement in spot-fixing during certain matches of the IPL 2013.

"Any disciplinary proceeding or decision taken by the BCCI is independent to any criminal proceeding and has no bearing," the BCCI said.

Sreesanth and Chandila express ‘relief’ at the verdict

Soon after the court ordered that all accused were discharged, Sreesanth broke down. His parents also wept tears of joy as TV channels announced that their son was exonerated of all charges.

Welcoming the verdict, Sreesanth told reporters that he had faith in the judiciary and believed that he will be released in the case. He thanked god and referred to Saturday as the best day of his life. Sreesanth hoped that he could now return to cricket.

Sreesanth's cricketing career took a nosedive after he was arrested. Only the second Keralite to represent India in international cricket, Sreesanth played in 27 Tests (87 wickets), 53 ODIs (75) and 10 T20Is (7 wickets).

A beaming Sreesanth told reporters soon after coming out of the court: "I want to play cricket again and I wish that the BCCI gives me permission to use the facility to get fit again. I went through a lot of troubles. I am just waiting to bowl those outswingers."

"This is a reply to all those who made fun of me," he added. “Thanks to all and my wife and our child came as an angel. I just want to start again and am just waiting to run on the ground."

Relieved after the court's decision, Chandila said the period following the spot-fixing scandal was "the worst part" of his life.

Hoping that he will get back to cricket again, Chandila said it was a tough time but with support from his family and friends, he survived.

Kerala Cricket Association delighted for Sreesanth

BCCI vice president and Kerala Cricket Association president T.C. Mathew described the news as "the best news to have come" and the KCA will ask the BCCI to revoke the life ban.

Kerala Ranji Trophy team senior coach P. Balachandran said Sreesanth will be accepted "with open arms".

"I cannot say about any technical hitches, but the moment the BCCI lifts the ban, we will accept him with open arms," said Balachandran, a former Kerala Ranji captain.