IPL-6 scandal: Court questions 'match fixing' theory of police

NEW DELHI: The investigation by Delhi Police in IPL-6 spot-fixing scandal case today came under close scrutiny of a local court which questioned its theory of 'match fixing' saying there was prima facie no evidence which showed that matches were fixed by the arrested accused.

"The (telephonic) conversations (among arrested accused) which you (police) are citing does not at all show that there was any ingredient of match-fixing. It only pertains to betting. There is no reference to match-fixing," Additional Sessions Judge Neena Bansal Krishna told the police.

"Is betting per se an offence?", the judge also asked special public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan while hearing arguments on framing of charges.

Responding to the court's query, Mohan said "betting per se is illegal but it is not an offence".

To this, the judge asked "under which provision, betting is illegal? Under which criminal law, betting is an illegal activity?"

The prosecutor responded "it is illegal activity in civil law and not under the criminal law".

During the arguments on framing of charges, Mohan referred to the telephonic conversations among the accused saying they were involved in match-fixing and betting.

He said that call detail records (CDRs) clearly reflect the linkage of the accused persons who were part of a crime syndicate to generate money.

To this, the court observed "whatever you (prosecutor) are saying may be 100 per cent true, but please show me the evidence."

After hearing the arguments, the court fixed the matter for further proceedings on May 8.