IPL spot fixing: Chandila key conspirator, police tell court

Opposing the bail plea of Rajasthan Royals player Ajit Chandila, arrested in connection with IPL spot fixing, the Delhi Police Friday told the court that he was a key conspirator in the entire case.

The Delhi Police's Special Cell, filing its reply on Chandila's bail plea, said he was acting at the behest of a syndicate run by gangster Dawood Ibrahim. It added that the player was directly in contact with bookies and players and had received money to perform as per their directions.

The investigating agency, in its reply before Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Jain, said: "For accused Ajit Chandila, it is reiterated that this player has emerged as the key conspirator in the entire chain acting on behalf of the syndicate."

"A huge amount of money has also been recovered at his instance, which was received from various fixers. In view of the centrality of his role, his bail is strongly opposed."

Police also filed replies on the bail applications of other arrested - bookies Ashwani Aggarwal, Baburao Yadav, Deepak Kumar and Sunil Bhatia, expressing strong opposition to bail for them.

Opposing the bail for Aggarwal, police said told the court that "he is a major bookie of Delhi having link with D-company and was the master controller of all north India terrorist on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel syndicate".

The court, after hearing brief arguments adjourned the bail pleas for Saturday.

The judge also directed police to file reply on the bail application of alleged bookie Ramesh Vyas, who moved the court seeking relief after being remanded in judicial custody till June 18.

On May 16, Delhi Police arrested three Rajasthan Royals players - S. Sreesanth, Chandila and Ankeet Chavan on spot fixing charges.

Delhi Police had invoked provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 28 accused in the case including three cricketers, alleging that they were acting under the command of Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.

The other 21 accused including Sreesanth and Chavan have already been granted bail by the court.