Match-fixing: Boje denies charges

NEW DELHI:

Seven years after his name cropped up in the match-fixing scandal, former South African cricketer Nicky Boje was on Tuesday questioned by Delhi Police during which he denied allegations about his involvement.

During the 80-minute session with Crime Branch sleuths, the left-arm bowler was quizzed about whether he knew the alleged bookies Sanjeev Chawla, Rajesh Kalra, Kishen Kumar and Sunil Dhara who had reportedly fixed matches.

Boje's name had figured in the purported conversation between the then South African captain Hansie Cronje and Chawla, which had been recorded by the Crime Branch.

"He (Boje) denied his involvement in the match fixing," Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) S C Garg told reporters after interrogation of the 34-year-old player at Police Officer's Mess here.

"The case is still open. If there is a need we will question Boje again. We are examining all aspects of the case.

Any number of players can be questioned," Garg said, adding there is no deadline for filing chargesheet in the case.

Ever since a case was registered by Delhi Police against him in May 2000, Boje has been avoiding a visit to India, because of which he even missed out of some series South Africa played here.

The South African player, who retired from international cricket last year, is here to play in the ICL matches. Delhi Police served him a notice on December five to make himself available for investigation in his alleged involvement in the scandal.

Another accused South African player Hershelle Gibbs was questioned by Delhi Police in October last year, while Cronje has died in a plane crash.

The names of Peter Strydom and David Williams also cropped up during the investigation but they could not be questioned as they have not come here.

Boje, along with Cronje and Gibbs, was at the centre of the scam and avoided touring India for cricket series on several previous occasions.

Delhi Police had intercepted Cronje's conversation with bookies in India in which he later admitted to striking deals
for throwing away matches.

Boje and Gibbs were also found guilty of being a part of their captain's conspiracy in the King's Commission inquiry held in South Africa and were heavily fined but got away with just six-month bans for their involvement.

The names of South African players Peter Strydom and David Williams also cropped up during the investigation.

Cronje was alleged to have links with Indian bookies Sanjeev Chawla, an NRI bookie settled in London, Kishen Kumar, Rajeev Kalra and Sunil Dhawa.

While Chawla was not arrested yet, the other three were arrested during investigation.