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'The mistake Cronje did was to use the cell phone given to him'

There were no customary laddoos, nor smug smiles, no tom-tomming or platitudes. For Deputy Commissioner of Police Pradeep Srivastava it was business as usual and another day in the office. Despite his busy schedule, he readily agreed to meet me and speak to rediff.com

"The BCCI secretary was too hasty in his condemnation of our efforts, and he should have verified the facts before his 'rubbishing' our work. What is the difference between him and the South Africans?"

That was his opening gambit, as I sat down in his office late on Tuesday evening. The cell phone was ringing intermittently, and as a matter of courtesy he switched it off. Television crews were queuing up outside his room, but there was a serene air about him -- unflustered and at peace with himself.

"We were investigating an extortion racket, where a Delhi businessman was being threatened and blackmailed, and we had sought the permission of the government to investigate this crime and to tap some phones, when we chanced upon the betting scandal.

"The mistake Cronje did was to use the cell phone given to him, and this played into our hands."

Have you done a voice verification?

"Well, I am not in a position to give you details, but we are pretty sure we are on the right track here."

It appears some voice testing may have been done, with Doordarshan providing, possibly, some sound bytes of Cronje.

Do you submit to the view that there are some gaps in the discussion between Cronje and Sanjeev Chawla released to the media, and that it appears strange that no Indian connection, as far as players are concerned, has cropped up?

"The investigations are ongoing, and all gaps will be plugged in due course. We are also seeking some details overseas, particularly money transactions, and Interpol and all other agencies have been requested to help. The BCCI secretary should also extend all cooperation and use his good offices to see the investigation through," Srivastava stated.

"As regards Indian players, there have been rumours floating for a long time, but in the current case there have been no names that have cropped up. There are various gangs operating, various networks, but in this case we have not found any link (to Indian cricketers)."

Will the investigation continue? What is the next step?

"The police have registered a case, and now every effort will be made to get to see the investigation to its logical end."

Who is the prime culprit amongst the bookies?

"Sanjeev Chawla."

Why did you not arrest him? Why did you let him escape, especially as you had some clues on March 14, 2000?

"We had no choice, for Sanjeev Chawla's conversations were in hand on the 14th, and he left at 11.30 am on the 15th. In case we had nabbed him then we would not have got the further information which was so crucial in this case."

What about the tapes, will you now accede to the request of the South Africans to release the tapes?

"The tapes are now in the hands of the courts and forms part of the 'case matter'. The police have no jurisdiction to release the tapes to anybody."

Do you think match-fixing can be stopped? If so, how? What steps must be taken to prevent this from spreading?

"No, I do not see how it can be stopped. As regards the steps to be taken, this is not in our purview, maybe the revenue authorities should look into it."

So, congratulations once again and keep up the good work.

"Thanks and do not forget to mention the team of Dr K K Paul and his men; Inspector Ishwar Singh etc. Bye"