Thiruvananthapuram, May 16: The country on Thursday, May 16 woke up with a shocking news of cricketer Sreesanth's arrest in connection with spot fixing allegations in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013.

Sreesanth's family members, however, overruled all allegations against him. Speaking to a Kerala TV channel, Sreesanth's father reportedly accused MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh of hatching conspiracy against the Kerala spacer.

"Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni framed my son," said Sreesanth's father to the TV channel. Sreesanth had engaged in another controversy when Harbhajan (Bhajji) had slapped him after an IPL match in 2008.

Sreesanth's mother, however, regretted her husband's shocking remarks against Dhoni, Harbhajan but insisted that her son not involved in fixing.

Meanwhile, Sreesanth's brother-in-law Madhu Balakrishnan informed that the arrested cricketer was upset as he was not allowed to play many IPL matches.

Balakrishnan, who is an well-known playback singer, was quoted as saying, "He is dead against match-fixing, and can never do anything like that. He told his parents that he was fully fit but was not being allowed to play. We are certain that he will do no wrong."

Seven bookies were also arrested in this connection. Sreesanth and the two others, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, play for Rajasthan Royals. Team CEO Raghu Iyer said action will be taken if the charges are proved to be true. He said the management will co-operate with the investigation.

Co-owner of the franchise Shilpa Shetty also said the same, adding that her team will have zero tolerance for anything done against the spirit of the game.

The special cell was tapping phones of several cricketers and bookies and incriminating evidence was found against the three accused.

It was said that the spot fixing was being done in matches against Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. Sreesath was arrested from his friend's place while the two other players were arrested from the team hotel in Mumbai.

The bookies were arrested from Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. The bookies, who are said to be close to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, reportedly had met Chandila in a Mall in Gurgaon on May 7.

A case was filed against Chavan and Chandila at Marine Drive Police Station under Sections 420 (for cheating) and 120(b)(for conspiracy) of the IPC. Details of the case registered against Sreesanth were yet to be known.

OneIndia News