DHAKA: India pacer S Sreesanth, who played for Rajasthan Royals, and 41 others have been discharged by a Patiala House Court in New Delhi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 spot-fixing scandal.

The entire case has been dropped due to lack of evidence, reports NDTV.

Following the verdict, Sreesanth told NDTV in tearful eyes, “No regrets, no complains against anybody, god-willing I will return to cricket. Hopefully I can take permission from BCCI to use their facilities again and regain fitness.”

“I know I have got movie offers but I am a cricketer first. I went through a lot. That’s all in the past. I would love to go to the national stadium tomorrow and just run there.”

“I will make sure I am fully fit and bowl those outswingers again. I would like to thank my lovely daughter, wife and parents for their support,” Sreesanth told media outside the court in New Delhi.

Sreesanth’s Rajasthan teammate Ankeet Chavan, who was also charged by the Delhi Police, said he was confident of coming back to cricket again.

Top police sources told NDTV, “It (Court verdict) is a setback, will appeal to high court.”

On May 16, 2013, the Special Cell of Delhi Police carried out raids in Mumbai and arrested three Rajasthan Royals players - Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan - on charges of spot-fixing. The special cell had named 42 accused in its charge-sheet.

During the arguments on framing of charges, the police had referred to telephonic conversations among players and bookies to establish their match-fixing and betting charges.

Earlier on July 14, a Supreme Court-appointed panel headed by former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha, suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years each due to betting.

Team owners Gurunath Meiyappan (Chennai) and Raj Kundra (Rajasthan) were banned for life from cricketing activities in India by the panel.

BDST: 2010 HRS, JULY 25, 2015
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