Police reveals spot-fixing codes, proof of manipulation

Investigators had had hundreds of hours of recordings of phone conversations between the players and bookies

Paceman S Sreesanth and two other bowlers belonging to the Rajasthan Royals IPL team who were arrested today for spot-fixing, received upto Rs 60 lakh for one over for giving away runs as per arrangements with bookies with underworld connections abroad.

The sensational arrests of the three players in the early hours of the morning in Mumbai by the Special Cell of Delhi Police has cast a shadow over the ongoing IPL tournament and the players have been suspended by the BCCI.

At a crowded press conference here, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the Special Cell had hundreds of hours of recordings of phone conversations between the players and bookies, 14 of whom have also been arrested. More arrests are on the anvil but the role of no other player, Indian or foreign, has come to light.

The players and bookies, who have been brought to Delhi, have been charged under section 420 (cheating) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) but they are also likely to be booked under the stringent MCOCA, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, which could land them in jail without bail and their confessions before a DCP level officer will be admissible in court.