IPL Spot-Fixing: Madras High Court Dismisses Anticipatory Bail Plea of Sampathkumar

The Madras High Court on Tuesday, dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of suspended Indian Police Service officer G Sampathkumar who has been named an accused in the IPL betting and match-fixing case.

Sampathkumar, former Tamil Nadu Superintendent of Police, had moved the High Court seeking the anticipatory bail following a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him by a magistrate court here.

Dismissing Sampathkumar's plea, Justice R Subbiah in his order while referring to a Supreme Court judgement, said "Sampathkumar was arraigned as fourth accused in the case. A magistrate court had issued non-bailable warrant against him where the trial in the case is conducted. The magistrate court had declared him as absconding and he was not entitled to anticipatory bail."

Concurring with the arguments of the Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the government, the Judge said "the proper course for the petitioner is only to approach the court (magistrate court) and to file an application to recall the NBW issued against him. Hence I am not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner."

Sampath Kumar was charged with accepting bribe from a bookie in during IPL matches. He was arrested last year. Besides betting, cheating and criminal intimidation charges, the officer had been slapped with offences punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act.

He had deposed before the Mudgal Committee appointed by the Supreme Court to inquire into allegations of betting and match-fixing in IPL.

The prosecution had submitted that a bookie had given Rs 30 lakh to Kumar at his office on May 23, 2015. A case was registered by CB-CID under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The investigation in the case was completed and a final report filed before the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court here and CB-CID had informed the court that Kumar was absconding on the basis of which a NBW was issued against him.