Betting nexus thrived on codes and signals
According
to the police, it was decided that for the May 9 RR and KXIP match that
Sreesanth would put a towel in his trouser in the second over of his
first spell and also give enough time for bookies to do some heavy
betting.
NEW DELHI: The bookies in the spot fixing scam had a nodal person in
Delhi, an old-timer, who is now in custody and whose identity the cops
are not yet willing to disclose. He was giving directions to different
groups in various states where IPL
6 matches were being played on how the players would signal compliance
on field. The modus operandi devised by this D Company man gave enough
time to the bookies to put maximum bets.
The signals were such that these won't have ever raised any suspicion on or off the field. Disgraced cricketers S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were willing to do anything - tuck a towel in the trouser, rotate the wrist band, pull their T-shirt up and down, pull out the locket around their neck, do stretching and warming up exercises and even set the field to earn those big bucks, according to the cops.
For example, it was decided that for the May 9 Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab match that Sreesanth would put a towel in his trouser in the second over of his first spell and also give enough time for bookies to do some heavy betting, said Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, adding that "he (Sreesanth) did some warming and stretching exercises" too.
"The modus operandi included asking the bowlers to give pre-decided signals with the help of their accessories like wrist-watches, chains, towels etc at the time of starting the over. The bowlers were asked to concede at least a given number of runs in a pre-determined and mutually decided over. After receiving the signal from the bowler, the bookies would bet heavily and make huge profits," said S N Srivastava, special CP, special cell.
If the players failed to give the signal, the money was lost as it happened in the case of Ajit Chandila. Chandila was supposed to pull up his shirt to signal the start of the manipulated over but he forgot to give the signal. Though he conceded the agreed 14 runs, the bookies could not place any bets since they didn't get the signal. "This led to a lot of arguments and demand for return of the money (Rs 20 lakh) advanced to him. Another Rs 20 lakh was to be given after the match," said the police chief.
The bookies, sources said, targeted vulnerable players, who would easily give away runs for money. They got in touch with them at team hotels, stadiums and elsewhere besides using the phone, BBM and whatsapp. Their conversations too were coded with words like 'samaan' (for money), said the source. And the bookies were careful not to use their real names.
During the matches, some associates and bookies remained in the stadium and signals were also given during 'strategic timeouts' and 'commercial breaks', said sources. After the over was successfully bowled according to the bookie's wish, money was delivered in cash to the players.
Officials said several players' names have been used in the recorded conversations between bookies and Chandila, but these players, even after accepting money, did not perform in the previous matches.
A top source said some batsmen, who had not performed and got out mysteriously, could also come under the scanner after the bookies were questioned.
The signals were such that these won't have ever raised any suspicion on or off the field. Disgraced cricketers S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were willing to do anything - tuck a towel in the trouser, rotate the wrist band, pull their T-shirt up and down, pull out the locket around their neck, do stretching and warming up exercises and even set the field to earn those big bucks, according to the cops.
For example, it was decided that for the May 9 Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab match that Sreesanth would put a towel in his trouser in the second over of his first spell and also give enough time for bookies to do some heavy betting, said Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, adding that "he (Sreesanth) did some warming and stretching exercises" too.
"The modus operandi included asking the bowlers to give pre-decided signals with the help of their accessories like wrist-watches, chains, towels etc at the time of starting the over. The bowlers were asked to concede at least a given number of runs in a pre-determined and mutually decided over. After receiving the signal from the bowler, the bookies would bet heavily and make huge profits," said S N Srivastava, special CP, special cell.
If the players failed to give the signal, the money was lost as it happened in the case of Ajit Chandila. Chandila was supposed to pull up his shirt to signal the start of the manipulated over but he forgot to give the signal. Though he conceded the agreed 14 runs, the bookies could not place any bets since they didn't get the signal. "This led to a lot of arguments and demand for return of the money (Rs 20 lakh) advanced to him. Another Rs 20 lakh was to be given after the match," said the police chief.
The bookies, sources said, targeted vulnerable players, who would easily give away runs for money. They got in touch with them at team hotels, stadiums and elsewhere besides using the phone, BBM and whatsapp. Their conversations too were coded with words like 'samaan' (for money), said the source. And the bookies were careful not to use their real names.
During the matches, some associates and bookies remained in the stadium and signals were also given during 'strategic timeouts' and 'commercial breaks', said sources. After the over was successfully bowled according to the bookie's wish, money was delivered in cash to the players.
Officials said several players' names have been used in the recorded conversations between bookies and Chandila, but these players, even after accepting money, did not perform in the previous matches.
A top source said some batsmen, who had not performed and got out mysteriously, could also come under the scanner after the bookies were questioned.
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