NEW DELHI: The investigation into the spot fixing scandal got a boost on Friday with S Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan reportedly confessing to deliberately conceding runs in some matches in exchange for money. Sources said Sreesanth wept like a child and said, "I have spoiled my career" during his questioning at the special cell's office at Lodhi Road.
Sreesanth blamed his old friend Jiju Janardhan alias Biju for luring him into spot fixing, revealed sources. Biju, who played for Ernakulam Cricket Club with Sreesanth, is a bookie who has links with other bookies who have been arrested, including Ashish Aggarwal, Manan, Chandresh and Ajay Goel.
Similiarly, Ankeet Chavan told the cops during interrogation that he was lured by Ajit Chandila to indulge in spot fixing during the May 15 match against Mumbai Indians. However, he said he was not involved in fixing in any other match.
Ankeet Chavan reportedly told the cops that Ajit offered him Rs 40 lakh. "He lamented that he had committed a crime against cricket, his first love," said an official.
Sources said Sreesanth was using Jiju's mobile phone for interactions with bookies and never used his personal mobile phone. "Jiju was also finalising the fee and managing Sree's funds for spot fixing," said a source.
Chandila was also using different SIM numbers on different occasions. Only Ankeet used a SIM number which was registered in his name, which was monitored by the police.
Sreesanth and Ankeet apparently told the cops that it was Chandila who would give details about meetings and matches, while bookies called Jiju for Sree's confirmation a few times. Sreesanth had reportedly taken Rs 60 lakh through Jiju for giving 13 runs in the May 9 match between Rajasthan and Punjab this year.
Cops are interrogating him about his involvement in other IPL seasons. Delhi Police officers confronted the cricketers with 11 bookies as well, with whom they were in touch with for the spot fixing. The cops are trying to find out the exact details on money taken by cricketers from bookies.
About the two cricketers -- Sreesanth and Ankeet, officials said "They were aware of what they were doing but never thought they would be caught." However, cops called Chandila a hard nut to crack, saying, "He is giving contradictory statements on many occasions". "We are confronting them with their voices in recorded conversations," said an officer.
The interrogation of bookies Ashish, Chandresh and Manan revealed that money earned by them in each match was given to master bookies. "Those master bookies, working directly for 'D' Company, then sent the money, after distributing their share, abroad through hawala. They were earning several crores every day," said a source.
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