British national in judicial custody in a betting case

Kharar, Mar 16 (UNI) A local court today remanded a British national, Rajiv Moolchandani, to 14-day judicial custody as he was arrested on Monday on the charges of fraud and forgery during the India-England Test match at the Mohai staidum.

Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Poonam Ratti directed to produce Rajiv Moolchandani once again before the court here on March 30. He was also accused of cricket betting.

Seeking extension in police custody of the accused for ascertaining his links, aim behind the illegal act and PCA officials involved in the conspiracy, the prosecution submitted in the court that the British national was booked under various sections of the IPC, on the directions of Ropar SSP S P Singh.

The prosecution contended that Moolchandani, a resident of London, had entered the PCA stadium media box after procuring media accreditation card from the PCA authorities while impersonating as a journalist.

While availing the facilities for which accreditated media was entitled, Moolchandani betted on various websites on his laptop from the media box, averred the prosecution, while arguing that how was he issued media accreditation card and on which websites he betted could be ascertained during his custodial interrogation.

However, Moolchandani's lawyers from Delhi, who were asisted by a local lawyer, termed the case false and opposed the police remand extension request while arguing that nothing remains to be recovered from him.

Meanwhile, the court issued notice to the State for tomorrow on the bail application moved by Moolchandani's lawyers seeking his release on bail.

UNI XC PS MA RAI0113