IPL steps up ACSU security for top-four teams

The IPL has stepped up security for the four teams remaining in the tournament by providing them officers from its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), following up a decision taken at Sunday's BCCI working committee meeting. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who reached Delhi on Sunday for the first qualifier to be played on Tuesday, were allotted an officer each on Monday morning. The other two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, who are set to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday, have also been allotted their respective officers.

"We have been told that the officer will stay with the team, travel with us and will work with the team security in-charge," a franchise official said.

The BCCI's decision followed the arrest by the Delhi Police of three Rajasthan Royals players - Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - last week on allegations of spot-fixing. Their police custody ends on Monday evening and while the players' lawyers have announced their plan to move for bail, the Delhi Police are likely to apply for extension of the custody.

ACSU chief Ravi Sawani, who is also heading the commission of inquiry into the allegations against the three players, met senior Delhi police officials on Monday. "I had a very useful meeting with the Delhi Commissioner of Police," he said after the meeting. "The BCCI has assured him of cooperation in the case. I also told him of Rajasthan Royals' intention to file an FIR in the case."

The commissioner, Neeraj Kumar, told Times Now after the meeting that Sawani had asked the police to share information, which Kumar said it would so with court permission.

Kumar also said the Royals management had informed the police of their intention to file a case but were yet to do so. "When they do, their complaint can be part of our investigation or a separate case. It's more likely to be the first," Kumar said.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the four remaining IPL matches and an investigation into spot-fixing and other alleged irregularities. The petition, by Lucknow resident Sudarsh Awasthi, has made all IPL franchises and the BCCI party in the case, along with the federal government.