Bookie Sanjeev Chawla gets bail, Delhi Police asks for order to be stayed

XtraTime Web Desk: Delhi Police on Monday has challenged the bail granted to bookie Sanjeev Chawal. The London based bookie, who was the prime accused in the 2000 match fixing scandal involving South African captain Hansie Cronje, was granted bail by a trial court in Delhi on Friday. The Delhi High Court has reserved its order, asking both parties – Delhi Police and Chawla’s counsel to put together their responses.



Chawla was extradited to India from United Kingdom on February 13, 2020. Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet in 2013, naming Chawla along with five others including the late Cronje, for cheating and conspiracy to cheat, criminal offences under the Indian Penal Code. The others accused in the case were: Rajesh Kalra, Krishan Kumar, Sunil Dara – all three based in India – and Manmohan Khattar, who is believed to be living overseas.



After extradition, following a brief period of police custody, Chawla was moved to Tihar Jail to wait out judicial proceedings. He was in the jail for last 76 days.

Chawla’s counsel filed for bail, saying he could be infected by the novel Coronavirus inside Tihar Jail. Delhi Police, in turn, said Chawla might look to flee if granted bail.



Chawla is being investigated in connection with a match-fixing scandal, involving former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje. Cronje died in a plane crash in 2002. The police suspect that Chawla played a crucial role in fixing the 5th match of India in South Africa series
The next hearing in the case will be on May 14.