Sanjeev Chawla, key accused in 2000 match-fixing case, arrested in London

Sanjeev Chawla, one of the main accused in the match-fixing scandal in the year 2000 was arrested in London recently, following an extradition request from India, the Indian Express has reported. The arrest was made following an extradition request from the Indian Government.

The UK's Crown Protection Services (CPS) has written to Delhi Police asking for details about the security arrangements and facilities in the prison in which Chawla will be kept. Chawla’s case will be heard in London on October 3rd.

In response, the police have informed UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) — through the Ministry of External Affairs that Chawla would be housed in Tihar Jail, which they described as a central facility following international standards. In their letter, police also wrote that the main objective of Tihar Jail is to reform its inmates, provide them with skills and education, and rehabilitate them in society.

"The arrest was made following the Indian government's extradition request. He faces charges of fixing cricket matches between India and South Africa in 2000," Yasser Mehmood, press officer of the CPS, told the Indian Express. "Chawla's case will be heard at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on October 3."

Chawla was named alongside former South African captain Hansie Cronje in a filed charge sheet in July 2013 for fixing matches between February and March 2000. The scandal came to light in April 2000 after Delhi Police got hold of a taped conversation between Cronje and Chawla in a conspiracy related to "match-fixing and betting" during South Africa's tour of India in 2000.

Cronje later admitted to providing personal favours to Chawla in a Test against England in Centurion in January 2000, in which he forfeited South Africa's second innings in a rain-affected match. He reportedly received GBP 6000 for the same.

Chawla was also later accused of offering money to two England players to underperform in a Test match against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1999. He was arrested by Scotland Yard in January 2001, but he was released later that year as there was "insufficient evidence" to prove the charges against him.

The other bookies and gamblers listed in the Delhi Police's 2013 charge sheet were Rajesh Kalra, Krishan Kumar, Sunil Dara and Manmohan Khattar.