IPL fixing: 'Dawood, Shakeel main persons in crime syndicate'

Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel were among the "main persons" who were running the organised crime syndicate through their associates who indulged in spot-fixing during the IPL matches, Delhi Police today told a court here.

During the hearing on bail pleas of nine arrested accused, including suspended cricketer Ajit Chandila, the police said absconding accused Javed Chutani and Salman, based in Dubai and Pakistan respectively, were in constant touch with Dawood and Shakeel and they were running the syndicate through the arrested bookies, who in turn where in touch with cricketers.

The court was hearing arguments after it had on September 2 deferred its order on the bail pleas saying it needed some clarification from the Special Cell of Delhi Police as well as from the defence counsel on some aspects.

After hearing the arguments, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma reserved his order for September 9 on the bail pleas of Chandila, alleged bookies Jitender Kumar Jain, Ramesh Vyas, Ashwani Agarwal, Deepak Kumar, Sunil Bhatia, Firoz Farid Ansari, ex-Ranji player Baburao Yadav and Chandra Prakash Jain alias Chandresh Jain, who was allegedly accepting bets by the name of Jupiter.

During the arguments, public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan said Dawood, Shakeel, Chutani and Salman were the main persons of the syndicate and others, including the arrested bookies, were assisting or facilitating them in the entire conspiracy.

He said Ashwani, Firoz and Ramesh Vyas were in direct contact with Dawood and Shakeel and there was evidence to show their direct linkage with the duo.
He said that the entire conspiracy revolves around three facets -- betting, match fixing and money transaction through Hawala.

"We have evidence in the form of telephonic conversations and SMSes which reflects that hawala transaction took place in the case and Dawood and Shakeel were directly involved," he said.