Sreesanth was suspended for drunken tiff

Rajasthan Royals cricketer S Sreesanth was suspended from the team after he fought with coach Paddy Upton under the influence of alcohol for being dropped. Sreesanth was dropped after the match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on May 9.

“He consumed alcohol and fought with the coach due to which he was suspended and was asked to leave the team hotel,” said S N Srivastava, special commissioner of police (special cell).

It was the reason behind Sreesanth not staying at the Trident Hotel booked by Rajasthan Royals for its players. “He chose to stay in Sofitel Hotel nearly 20 km away with close friend and bookie Jiju Janardhan,” Srivastava added.

The Mumbai Police had seized Sreesanth’s mobile phones, iPhones, laptops, data cards and other personal belongings from the hotel. Srivastava said that the Delhi Police have written to their Mumbai counterparts seeking details about the articles seized from the hotel.

Sources, however, said both the Delhi Police and the Mumbai Police have refused to share information. Sreesanth was arrested from Carter Road in Mumbai on May 16 for accepting Rs 40 lakh for spot-fixing an over during the match on May 9.

While establishing the money trail behind the spot-fixing scandal, the police also claimed that Rajasthan Royals cricketer Ajit Chandila was given Rs 12 lakh by one of the arrested bookie Sunil Bhatia for spot-fixing in last season’s IPL. Ajit could not play many matches due to which he had to return the amount.

“Eyeing on IPL matches to make fast bucks, Sunil lured Ajit. Sunil paid Rs 12 lakh in advance to Ajit, but the deal could not be carried out as Ajit played only a few matches. Sunil later demanded his money,” Srivastava said.

Subsequently, Ajit gave three cheques to Sunil, of which two bounced. The first cheque was given on December 10, 2012, followed by the second cheque on February 11. Ajit gave another cheque in which Rs 4 lakh was cleared.

When asked why Sunil continued to rely on Ajit and went ahead with him this season, Srivastava said it was greed to make huge profits. Besides, Ajit got a hat-trick last season which left a good impression on the bookies.

The police said that they have been analysing bank accounts and other details of Ajit so that the investigation sleuths can get some leads.

Srivastava added that they have not put actor Vindoo Dara Singh under scanner as they have no evidence against him. He also said they will not prevent any foreign player from leaving the country after the conclusion of the IPL. “We have also not found evidence against any Pakistani umpire,” he added.