/ 7 May 2000

‘I’M INNOCENT’ — CHALWA

THE London-based businessman sought by Indian police over his alleged involvement in the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal has said that he is innocent. Sanjeev Chawla, a 32-year-old London-based clothing importer, disappeared after the allegations became public in India, but was interviewed on Friday by the tabloid Daily Express. “I have never met Hansie Cronje and certainly have never given him any money as it has been claimed,” he was quoted as saying. “I am innocent and have done absolutely nothing wrong and I am being chased and hassled for nothing. My whole life is being ruined but I am sure that I will be able to prove my innocence eventually,” Chawla told the Express. Chalwa did not say whether he will return to India to answer the charges laid against him. Meanwhile, Police in Delhi arrested two men said to be accomplices of Chawla.