Bookie who fixed matches between India-South Africa with Hansie Cronje in 2000 arrested in London: Report

Chawla and Hansie Cronje were named in a 70-page chargesheet by the crime branch for “fixing matches played between India and South Africa from February 16, 2000 to March 20, 2000 in India”.

New Delhi: 16 years after the match-fixing scandal rocked cricket fraternity, Sanjeev Chawla, key accused and bookie has been arrested in London.

According to a report in The Indian Express, he was arrested following India’s request for extradition.

Delhi Police's crime branch had earlier reopened investigations into the match-fixing scandal and requested the UK government to extradite alleged "mastermind" bookie Chawla through the MEA.

After his arrest, UK officials have written to Delhi Police asking for details about security arrangements and facilities in the jail that he will be kept in.

Yasser Mehmood, press officer, UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), told The Indian Express that Chawla was arrested on June 14.

“The arrest was made following the Indian government’s extradition request. He faces charges of fixing cricket matches between India and South Africa in 2000. Chawla’s case will be heard at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on October 3,” he said.

Chawla has been also accused of offering money to two England players in August 1999.

In July 2013, Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet in the scandal, also naming former South African skipper Hansie Cronje, died in a plane crash in June 2002. The two were named in a 70-page chargesheet by the crime branch for “fixing matches played between India and South Africa from February 16, 2000 to March 20, 2000 in India”.

In 2000, the Delhi police accused Cronje of match-fixing after releasing transcripts of an alleged conversation between him and Chawla.

Cronje initially refuted all allegations, but later admitted to it post which he was sacked by the South African cricket board.