IPL 2013: The Dara Singh family link to spot-fixing saga

Actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested yesterday for his alleged links with bookies accused of spot-fixing in the IPL's on-going season, has reportedly told the police that he was in touch with the relative of an IPL franchise owner.

Sources say the police are investigating multiple calls made by the actor to a Chennai number. The calls were made over a period of six months, say sources.

Charged with cheating and forgery, 49-year-old Vindoo, son of late wrestler-actor Dara Singh, was produced before a local court in Mumbai on Tuesday, which remanded him to police custody till Friday.

The Mumbai Police says Vindoo's custodial interrogation was needed to establish the chain of people involved in the racket as the actor was not only betting himself but was also aiding the bookies.

Police sources say the actor was named in the scam by Ramesh Vyas, one of the alleged bookies arrested by the Mumbai Police last week. Vyas reportedly told his interrogators that Vindoo was friends with several influential bookies and allegedly facilitated them. Mumbai Police had reportedly taped telephonic conversations as evidence against the actor.

"Almost whole of Mumbai knows him. But that does not mean there is anything criminal. Moreover, by the grace of God, we have everything and we don't need anything from anyone," Amrik said.

The Mumbai Police's Crime Branch says Vindoo along with being in touch with bookies, was himself into betting too, according to PTI.

The actor has on many occasions been spotted watching IPL matches and attending post-match parties.

His brother today (Wednesday) claimed that his sibling is not involved in the IPL spot-fixing scandal. "I can never believe that he is involved in any way. Let investigations take place, Vindoo will come out clean," Amrik Singh told reporters at the Chandigarh airport before leaving for Mumbai.

Vindoo has appeared in a few Bollywood films. He is also the Season 3 winner of reality TV show Bigg Boss. His arrest is the first Bollywood link busted after bookies and cricketers were arrested for spot-fixing last week.

The Mumbai Police also arrested Alpesh Kumar Patel, a hawala operator, and seized Rs. 1.28 crore from him. Prem Taneja, a conduit for bookies who was said to be in close touch with Vindoo, was also arrested, Himanshu Roy, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) told reporters in Mumbai.

(With PTI inputs)