In a big setback to the tainted cricketers involved in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, the Delhi Police have invoked MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) against them. Since the MCOCA charges are non-bailable, the police can get custody of the accused for up to 30 days.

Under the MCOCA provisions, the accused will find it tough to get bail. The police will get six months’ time to file chargesheet against them. Also, any confession made by the accused in front of the DCP in Delhi or SP in any other state will be accepted as evidence.

The Delhi Police decided to invoke MCOCA on the accused after the Delhi Court refused to extend their police custody. At the same time, the court rejected their bail pleas and sent them to judicial custody. The police sources hinted at getting strong evidence of links between the bookies and Chhota Shakeel and Dawood Ibrahim.