IPL spotfixing scandal: Mumbai Police arrests Gurunath Meiyappan for betting
He was questioned for nearly two hours at the Crime Branch office on Friday. Sources claim that during his questioning Mr Meiyappan admitted to having placed bets, but blamed Vindoo for it.
Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of BCCI chief N Srinivasan, was arrested late on Friday night by the Mumbai Police for his alleged involvement in betting during the on-going edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested earlier this week for his alleged links with bookies, has told the Mumbai Police that he bet on games on Mr Meiyappan's behalf, claim sources. Vindoo has also reportedly said that Mr Meiyappan lost Rs 1 crore in betting.
Gurunath Meiyappan was questioned for nearly two hours at the Crime Branch office on Friday. Sources claim that during his questioning Mr Meiyappan admitted to having placed bets, but blamed Vindoo for it. Mr Meiyappan said he placed bets at the insistence of Vindoo, claimed sources.
Sources claim he has not yet been confronted with Vindoo. Mr Meiyappan will be produced before a court in Mumbai within 24 hours. "We have found his involvement in the offence related to IPL betting case. We have placed him under arrest," Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Mumbai Police Himanshu Roy said.
Mr Meiyappan's lawyer PS Raman said, "We are exploring all legal possibilities, we've to wait for the remand report to know what are the charges."
Sources in the Chennai Super Kings have claimed that Mr Meiyappan is not part of the Indian Premier League franchise. India Cements, the owner of the Chennai Super Kings, has issued a statement clarifying that Gurunath Meiyappan is only an honorary member of CSK, not owner. (Read full statement)
Meanwhile, N Srinivasan has reportedly refused to quit as the BCCI president, saying he has done no wrong. He has said that he was unaware of any betting activities by his son-in-law, claim sources in the Chennai franchise.
Earlier on Friday, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said, "All the people involved in the spot-fixing scandal and found guilty must be punished." Mr Shukla along with BJP leader and head of the BCCI disciplinary committee Arun Jaitley also met Law Minister Kapil Sibal, who had last week said that a separate law against fixing is needed. (Read)
Sources claim that Vindoo has named five-six Bollywood personalities who are linked with the spot-fixing scandal. The police have however not disclosed any names, saying the details that have emerged from the actor's interrogation need to be verified.
Vindoo has allegedly told the police that he helped two bookies, Pawan Jaipur and Sanjay Jaipur, escape to Dubai, sources claimed. The police conducted a search at Vindoo's residence on Wednesday and reportedly recovered three mobile phones allegedly belonging to Pawan Jaipur. They also seized Vindoo's iPad and laptop.
The Delhi Police is seeking access to items found in the Mumbai hotel room where cricketer Sreesanth stayed, sources claim. Delhi Police will reportedly file a production warrant addressed to their Mumbai counterparts in court. Delhi Police have also sent teams to Hyderabad and Goa to track purchases of the arrested Rajasthan Royals players, Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, and Ajit Chandila, reportedly made with money paid to them by bookies.
Sources say Delhi Police will also ask the BCCI to share raw footage of all matches that featured Rajasthan Royals in IPL-6.