Delhi Police files appeal against acquittal of Rajasthan Royals trio in IPL spot-fixing case

The Delhi Police has appealed against the lower court’s decision to drop charges against Sreesanth, Chandila & Chavan

The Delhi Police special cell has filed an appeal in the Delhi High against a trial court's order that dropped charges against all 42 accused, including the Rajasthan Royals trio of S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, in the IPL spot-fixing case, ESPNCricinfo reports.

While Chandila had been granted bail earlier, the Delhi court had granted bail to Sreesanth, Chavan and the others on July 25 this year citing ‘lack of evidence’ for lack of evidence under the provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), the law under which the Delhi Police had filed charges against the accused.

“The offence in relation to which MCOCA is sought to be invoked, pertains to betting and match-fixing, which. does not fit in any penal statute,” the court had said, as reported by The Indian Express. “All the necessary ingredients to establish a prima facie case under the provisions of MCOCA is not made out.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India had maintained their stance on the players stating, in the wake of the judgement, that the ban imposed by the governing body on the three will remain in place.

"The earlier decision of BCCI's disciplinary committee ban on this case will stay. Disciplinary proceedings are different, criminal proceedings are different," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said at that time. It seems the Delhi Police is also following suit.

The cricketers heaved a sigh of relief when the court announced its decision, but the police are undeterred and will carry on with its case. They are of the opinion that the evidence was not properly assessed and also criticised the timing of the decision, stating that they shouldn’t have been let go off at the stage of framing of charges.

The Lodha committee had in its interim verdict recommended suspending Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL for a period of two years. The full report is awaited and with the Delhi Police filing its appeal on Wednesday the IPL off-field drama is far from reaching a conclusion.