A 'shocked and saddened' BCCI suspended pacer S Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals players on Thursday accused of spot-fixing in the IPL and vowed to take "strictest action" against them if found guilty after an inquiry.
"As of now, the 3 players Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and S. Sreesanth stand suspended pending enquiry. All information required to bring the persons involved to book will be collected and strictest action will be taken, if found guilty," the BCCI said in a statement issued by Secretary Sanjay Jagdale.
A special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth and his teammates- Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan- along with seven bookies last night after their team's IPL match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
The cricketers and bookies have been charged under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and are being flown in to Delhi for further questioning.
The Board said it would cooperate with the Delhi Police during the course of investigation.
"The BCCI is shocked and saddened at the recent developments. The BCCI has zero tolerance to corruption. We will offer all cooperation to the Delhi police and all other authorities in their investigations in this matter. The IPL Governing Council has met and decided that the cricketers found involved will be dealt with severely," the Board stated.
The police have also arrested seven bookies in Mumbai and three bookies in Delhi in connection with the same case. They are looking for two more bookies in Delhi.
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The Board said it was unfortunate to see players indulging in corruption despite getting good contracts from their franchises.
"The BCCI engages the services of the anti corruption wing of the ICC to educate and monitor players and support staff in prevention of corruption of any form in the game," it said.
"In fact, it is wholly unfortunate that despite such education, best playing conditions and terms of engagement offered, some players seem to be indulging in such activity," it added.