Sanjeev Chawla released by Scotland Yard

London-based Indian businessman Sanjeev Chawla, arrested by Scotland Yard six months ago in connection with allegations of cricket matchfixing, has been released as there was "insufficient evidence" to prove the charges against him.

"There is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against him," a spokesman of the Scotland Yard said in London on Wednesday.

Chawla, who was absconding after his passport was revoked by the Indian Government, "has been advised that he is no longer required to come to the police station," the spokesman told PTI.

Chawla, who is also sought by the CBI, was arrested on December 13 by officers of the Serious and Organised Crime Squad from his home in Hendon in North London after claims by former England player Chris Lewis that an associate of the Indian businessman had approached Alec Stewart and Alan Mullaly ahead of a Test against New Zealand in August 1999.

"Having taken advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police told us that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and all police inquiries have been now concluded," the Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Disgraced former South African Captain Hansie Cronje had admitted receiving 6,000 pounds from Chawla for providing personal favours in the final Test against England at Centurion Park, Pretoria, last January. On a tense last day of that match, England triumphed by two wickets after Cronje forfeited South Africa's second innings.

The 33-year-old Chawla was also named in the King Commission report into Cronje's activities and also in the Indian CBI report, which linked him directly to Manoj Prabhakar, the former Indian all rounder who is now banned for five years for his part in match fixing.

The criminal investigation handled by the new Scotland Yard was not part of the International Cricket Council's investigation headed by Sir Paul Condon, whose brief in investigating match fixing all over the world continues.

The Scotland Yard's inquiry had been prompted by Lewis's allegation that an Indian sports promoter had approached him to help fix the Old Trafford Test by asking England players to take a bribe. The promoter is stated to be a close associate of Chawla, who owns a clothing business in Central London.