The 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing and betting scandal unfolded with the Delhi Police apprehending cricketers Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan, who were accused of alleged spot-fixing while representing the Rajasthan Royals. Simultaneously, Mumbai Police detained Vindu Dara Singh, diamond dealer Priyank Sepany, and Chennai Super Kings Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan for alleged betting.
In July 2015, the RM Lodha Committee imposed a two-year suspension on India Cements and Jaipur IPL, the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively. Furthermore, Sreesanth, Chandila, and Chavan were acquitted of all charges by the Patiala House Courts. However, in January 2016, the BCCI handed Chandila a life ban from all forms of cricket.
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In March 2019, the Supreme Court overturned the life ban imposed by the BCCI on Sreesanth. Subsequently, in February 2023, the BCCI lifted the life ban imposed on Chandila.
Initially, Sreesanth’s father, Shantakumaran Nair, labeled his son’s arrest as part of a “larger conspiracy” and accused cricketers MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh of linking his son to the scandal. However, he later withdrew the statement and expressed regret.
Reports suggested a strained relationship and lack of coordination between the Delhi and Mumbai police, fueling speculation of unfriendly competition. Maharashtra Home Minister R. R. Patil dismissed these claims, asserting that both teams were collaborating to unearth the truth.
