With an aim of filing a foolproof chargesheet against the tainted players of Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the bookies involved in spot-fixing, the Delhi Police has planned to rope in RR Captain Rahul Dravid as star prosecution witness. A team of Special Cell recorded Dravid’s statements under Section 161 of the CrPC at his Bengaluru residence on Wednesday.
The Delhi Police took the services of the former Indian Captain to study each delivery bowled by Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila. The legend analysed speed, trajectory, length and release of each delivery to ascertain the motive behind loose deliveries.
“Dravid’s stature as a cricket player and his standing in the international arena was taken into account, hence we did not ask him to come to lodhi Road office. Instead, we sent a team to speak to him. His statement was recorded on four points. Dravid was asked whether he was aware about the misdemeanors of Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan.
Whether there was any external influence to include these players in the final elevenIJ Whether he ever suspected that the three arrested players were underperformingIJ Whether the players ignored the decisions taken in the team meetings before the matchIJ,” a senior police officer said on the condition of anonymity.
When asked whether Dravid was shocked to hear about RR players’ arrest on May 15 just after their match against Mumbai Indians, the officer nodded in affirmation. “By indulging into spot-fixing, the three players cheated their Captain too and also committed a criminal breach of trust with the team management,” the official added.
In another significant development, the Special Cell is waiting to hear from RR coach Paddy Upton to record his statement. Dravid and Upton were tasked to select the final eleven by the RR management and their statements are vital in the case, said a senior police officer.
The police have not given a ‘clean chit’ to Raj Kundra yet. The investigation is still going on and we have to make a few more arrests, the official said, adding, Kundra will be summoned again to clarify on certain points as he had unhindered access to the ‘Dressing Room’.