JOIN USArrested bookie Mohammad Yahya was in touch with several cricketers for spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, apart from Rajasthan Royals’ S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. Names of international players have also cropped up during his interrogation, police said on Saturday.
Yahya has been sent to police custody for five days. The 45-year-old former Bollywood spot boy told the police that he was in touch with some foreign players. “Yahya has also disclosed the names of other Indian players who even played international cricket,” said S N Srivastava, Special Commissioner of Police (special cell).
The police refused to name the players, saying that investigation was on and they have to collect evidence. “All teams are under scanner, but we will not prevent any foreign player from leaving the country after the IPL,” Srivastava said.
Sources further claimed that even the Bollywood angle in the betting racket is being explored since Yahya, who is associated with a production house in Mumbai, also knew actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested for his alleged connection with bookies. Srivastava, however, said they do not plan to seek Vindoo’s custody for interrogation.
“Vindoo is not under scanner as we do not have any evidence against him,” he said.
Yahya kicked off his career as a spot boy for actor Dilip Kumar in 1984 and went on to work for Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor and Sridevi till 2010. He was arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, while trying to escape to Dubai on Friday.
Sources further confirmed that Yahiya was directed by his contacts to flee India.
When asked whether IPL team owners were involved, Srivastava said: “No such thing has surfaced in our investigation.” On BCCI’s letter seeking more details about the scandal, he said the police will share certain details with the cricketing body.