Sreesanth, 35 others receive notices from Delhi HC for IPL spot-fixing scandal

BCCI had imposed life ban on Sreesanth in 2013

Former Indian cricketers Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila along with 33 others have received individual notices regarding the IPL 6 spot fixing scandal. The notices issued by Justice Siddharth Mridul of Delhi High Court has asked all of them to be present High Court on December 16 for the next hearing of this case.

Apart from these cricketers, the 33 others are bookies who were accused of being involved with spot fixing during 2013 IPL. Delhi Police had charged them against Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) but a Trial Court had given them clean chits in July this year. MCOCA is used during cases of organised crime and terrorism.

According to a report by The Hindu, the Trial Court had then said that Delhi Police was unable to provide “all necessary ingredients to establish a prima facie case” under the stringent MCOCA. The Trial Court had also added that Special Cell of Delhi Police failed to prove any link between those who were alleged and underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel along with a person named Sandeep. These three were declared as proclaimed offenders in this case.

“The best case could have been under Public Gambling Act, but that also is not prima facie established from the evidence placed on record by prosecution. The offence of cheating is also not made out prima facie, even if the entire evidence of prosecution is admitted without formal proof,” the Trial Court had said.

Delhi Police challenged the Trial Court’s judgment in High Court. Apart from issuing a notice, Delhi High Court has also asked for the Trial Court records on the appeal filed by Delhi Police. According to the appellant, the logic based on which these accused were released, was inappropriate. Delhi Police has also stated that the Trial Court had misinterpreted provisions under MCOCA and this issue needs to be again looked at.

As per Delhi Police, they have enough evidence to charge the accused for punishable offence under section 120B (conspiracy) read with 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code, besides those relating to MCOCA. Three Pakistani nationals, Javed Chutani, Salman and Ehtesam were also accused but police could not do anything about them.

Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila were alleged to be involved with betting and spot-fixing during IPL 6. After they were arrested, the former two spent a month in the jail while Chandila was granted bail after more than three months. In September 2013 Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had imposed life bans on Sreesanth and Chavan. The board’s disciplinary committee is yet to decide about Chandila.