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Indian actor detained in match-fixing probe

NEW DELHI: Film actor Kishen Kumar was remanded in custody for 14 days on Saturday after his arrest in connection with India's cricket match-fixing scandal that has already engulfed four South African international players.

"Film star Kishen Kumar was taken into custody late on Friday night for questioning on his role in the case particularly relating to foreign exchange violations," Subhas Bansal, special prosecutor for the quasi-judicial Enforcement Directorate (ED), said.

Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said Metropolitan Magistrate Swaran Kanta Mehra served a custody order on Kumar in a New Delhi hospital where he was admitted shortly after the scandal erupted, complaining of high blood pressure and chest pain.

South African captain Hansie Cronje, Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom have been charged by India with fixing matches during a limited overs series in India last month.

Cronje was sacked as South African captain on Tuesday for taking between $10,000 and $15,000 from a bookmaker for information and forecasting one-day matches, but has denied involvement in match-fixing.

Earlier, a Delhi Court extended by another day the remand of businessman Rajesh Kalra, who was arrested on match fixing charges on April 7.

The ED counsel Subhas Bansal had sought three days remand for Kalra, saying the department had to confront him with fresh details on the case.

However, Metropolitan Magistrate Mehra extended Kalra's remand for a day only and said he must be produced in court again on Sunday.-Reuters