Outcome of every single Cricket match is fixed: Sanjeev Chawla, prime accused in 2000 match fixing scandal

Sanjeev Chawla, the mastermind behind the match fixing scandal of 2000, involving former South African captain Hansie Cronje, has said in his disclosure statement that none of Cricket matches are fairly played and the outcome of every single cricket match seen by millions of people around the World are fixed beforehand.

Chawla, born in New Delhi, also revealed a frightful fact before the Delhi Police that the syndicate behind the match fixing scandal had placed the case’s investigation officer, DCP (Crime Branch) Dr. G Ram Gopal Naik in their hit list, and that his life was endangered. Although the whole statement is part of a supplementary chargesheet which has been submitted to the court, it does not have the accused’s signature.

While he confessed that he was involved in match-fixing for many years, Chawla said he could not give more details since, “a very big syndicate/underworld mafia is involved in this matter and they are dangerous people and if he says anything they will get him killed”.

When contacted, Special CP (Crime) Praveer Ranjan said, “Since the matter is still under investigation, we may not be able to share any intricate details.”

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The Delhi Police Crime Branch, in its supplementary chargesheet, has also said that Chawla’s non-cooperation in investigation proves his involvement in the crime. In the absence of the High Court’s stay on the trial court’s bail order, Chawla had walked out of Tihar jail earlier this month. Following this relief, Delhi Police has approached the Supreme Court. The matter will be heard next month.
The other accused and Chawla’s alleged associates, Krishan Kumar, Rajesh Kalra, and Sunil Dara, are also out on bail.

The chargesheet details the alleged role played by Chawla and others in fixing cricket matches during South Africa’s 2000 tour of India. It also has the transcript of conversation between Chawla and Hansie which hint at an exchange of inside information and cash between the two.
In the statement, Chawla also says he moved to London in 1993 and was in the “business of clothes” and had shops in London’s Oxford Street. He also said the co-accused, Kumar, Kalra, Dara, were old friends and were also involved in match fixing. After his long stay in London, Chawla became a UK citizen in early 2000. In February this year, he was brought to India after a lengthy extradition process.

Meanwhile, Cronje, who admitted to the South Africa government-appointed King Commission that he had accepted money from bookmakers for underperforming, died in a plane crash in 2002. Following his death, proceedings against him were abated by a July 2017 court order.

SOURCE: TheIndianEXPRESS