Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team principal Gurunath Meiyappan and actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who were arrested in connection with the spot-fixing and betting scandal in the Indian Premier League (IPL), were granted bail by a court here on Monday.
They moved bail applications on Monday soon after the court ordered that they be remanded in judicial custody till June 14.
Six bookies were also granted relief on surety of Rs.25,000 each.
The court instructed them not to leave the country. They must report to the Mumbai Crime Branch every other day.
Mr. Meiyappan and Mr. Singh’s lawyers argued that the custodial interrogation of the two was no longer required after more than 10 days of police remand.
Mr. Meiyappan (36) was arrested on the night of May 25. Mr. Singh, who was nabbed on May 22, had admitted to placing bets on the former’s behalf.
Coming out of Arthur Road jail in the evening, Mr. Singh rebutted all charges levelled against him. ‘False media propaganda’ had tarnished his image, he said. “This was a particular enquiry in a case…the moment the inquiry was over we would have gone home…but the media raked so much muck instead.” The media had blown the case out of proportion despite him and Mr. Meiyappan explaining all to the police the first time they were questioned, he said.
“Gurunath Meiyappan is my good friend...he has done no wrong…I only know Gurunath and [alleged bookie] Prem [Bhatia] among all the accused in this case.”
Asked about his relations with controversial Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf, he said Mr. Rauf had been his friend for many years. “When he comes to India, the first thing he does is [to] call me…we have never spoken on any of the matches being played or betting or such like.”
