Tough law slapped on Sreesanth

India’s most wanted underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel were made accused in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing case after a special cell of the Delhi Police invoked Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on all the arrested 26 people, including three players, on Tuesday.

“A few arrested bookies were acting directly on the directions of Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. They are also accused in this case for running an international betting syndicate,” said a senior police officer.

While investigating the spot-fixing, the officer said, it was discovered that it was an organised crime run by Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Shakeel from Pakistan and Dubai.  

“We have added Section 3 and 4 of MCOCA against all the arrested 26 accused in the IPL spot-fixing case. We have moved an application in the city court regarding this,” said the officer. The Delhi Police occasionally invoke the Maharashtra law, a practice which has the sanction of the lieutenant governor.

During investigation, the officer said it was found that they were a part of the organised crime syndicate operating from Dubai and Pakistan.

“They have a vast network of bookies and were running betting through hawala money which was, thereafter, being invested in various economic activities,” said the officer.

Tracing Yahya

“The arrested bookie, Ashwani Aggarwal, had links with the underworld don and his henchmen,” said the officer.

 The special cell is now trying to trace and locate Mohammed Yahya, whose name surfaced during questioning of the arrested bookies.

“He had direct links with the underworld don and his henchmen,” said the officer. He also said that the arrested three players — S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan —were not in touch with the don.

The investigator said, “In IPL spot-fixing, there was use of threat of violence, intimidation, coercion, or other unlawful means, with the objective of gaining pecuniary benefits, or gaining undue economic or other advantage.”

While questioning a bookie, it came to light that the bookies were set to teach a player a lesson after the cricket match. “The bookie admitted that as one player did not obey their order as per deal, they decided to teach him a lesson after his arrival in Mumbai,” added the officer, refusing to disclose the player’s identity.

He also confirmed that a few bookies were arrested under more than two cases and the court has taken cognisance of it.The special cell has sought police remand of two bookies—Ramesh Vyas and Ashwani Aggarwal—arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with a IPL spot-fixing. In the meantime, the investigators are conducting raids at various places to collect evidence against more players involved and to nab nine more bookies besides the don’s henchmen.

Day’s developments

* Actor Vindoo Dara Singh, Chennai Super Kings principal Gurunath Meiyappan, hawala operator Alpesh Patel and bookie Prem Taneja granted bail by a Mumbai court
* MCOCA was invoked against Sreesanth as the accused were allegedly
facilitating the illegal acts of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel
* Dhoni draws flak from former cricketers for owning 15% stake in the company that manages him, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and Pragyan Ojha
* Former cricketers Chetan Chauhan, Maninder Singh and Dhoni’s former teammate V V S Laxman say that the Indian captain owning a 15% stake in Rhiti Sports constitutes a conflict of interest
* Sports Management was set up and is run by Dhoni’s long-time friend Arun Pandey