Sanjeev Chawla, Key Accused In Hansie Cronje Match-Fixing Scandal, Granted Bail

Sanjeev Chawla, key accused in the 2000 match-fixing scandal involving former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje, has been granted bail by a Delhi court on Saturday. According to media reports, a special judge granted Sanjeev Chawla relief, on personal bond of Rs 2 lakh. Chawla was allegedly the key in conspiring Cronje to fix South Africa’s tour to India in 2000.

Chawla was granted bail after a 76 days probe. The Delhi Court directed him to give his voice sample and handwriting specimen to the investigating officer in the case, PTI reported.

After he was accused, Chawla managed to flee to the UK that year, and with his Indian passport revoked, he obtained a British passport in 2005. In 2016, Chawla was extradited to India from London.

How was Sanjeev Chawla involved in the match-fixing scandal?

Delhi Police, in 2000, had traced a call between Chawla and Cronje, in which the former South Africa captain had accepted the deals made by the bookie. The incident came as a shock to the cricketing world as a world class player and a captain was involved in the scandal. Cronje was subsequently banned for life from cricket while Herschelle Gibbs was handed a six-month suspension.

In 2002, Cronje died in a plane crash, but was clearly involved in the case. Delhi Police had told to the court. The scandal had derailed his image in the cricketing circuit leaving many shell-shocked.