IPL spot-fixing: Delhi Police files appeal in HC

The city police on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court order of dropping charges against cricketer S. Sreesanth and 35 other accused in the 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing case.

The trial court on July 25 had discharged cricketers Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, and 33 others.

Delhi Police charge-sheeted them for cheating and conspiracy under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Delhi Police filed a charge sheet on July 30, 2013, alleging that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel were behind the spot-fixing scandal.

In its appeal, police said the trial court erroneously interpreted the law pertaining to MCOCA and its order was unsustainable.

Dropping all charges against the 36 accused, the trial court had held that the Special Cell of Delhi Police was unable to establish any nexus or link between the accused and the crime syndicate allegedly run by Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel who were declared proclaimed offenders in the case.