IPLgate: Cops crack players' code names- Helicopter, Model, Raavan

Intercepted conversations of Guru and Vindu reveal codewords used by them for players, models, etc

During interrogation the Mumbai Crime Branch found that Vindu Dara Singh and Gurunath Meiyappan referred to players in the IPL with nicknames in their intercepted conversations

While money talks the loudest in the world of cricket betting, there's more to the lexicon than a layman can envision.



(Can you guess who these players are?)

The transcripts of conversations between Gurunath Meiyappan and Vindu Dara Singh are proving to be a handy glossary for cops probing the IPL spot-fixing case, which reveals that the duo used certain code words while referring to different players, models, bookies, amounts etc. This was disclosed in the remand copy submitted by Crime Branch in the metropolitan magistrate's court yesterday.


For instance, captain of the Indian cricket team and Chennai Super Kings Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named Helicopter, rampaging West Indian batsman Chris Gayle was dubbed Raavan, peerless Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was referred to as Makkhi and flamboyant left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh was tagged as Model.


`Though most of the codes in the conversation intercepted by us are comprehensible, there are certain words that still have to be worked out. So, we have asked for Meiyappan's custody, which the court has agreed to and will be in our care till May 31,` a highly-placed Crime Branch official told MiD DAY on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that Meiyappan was using a phone for conducting business, which was registered in the name of his servant, Kamlanath P. The latter will be soon summoned to the Crime Branch office for questioning.

There are still some code names that Crime Branch officials have to decipher from the conversations between Gurunath Meiyappan and Vindu Dara Singh. Cops asked for and secured Meiyappan's extended custody from the metropolitan magistrate's court yesterday


Vindu Dara Singh

Police officials have also seized an iPhone, an iPad, three phones, the diary, IPL auction lists, and CSK logos and T-shirts from a raid at Meiyappan's house in Chennai. Cops have also learnt that wanted bookies Sandeep Chhabra and Sanjay Jaipur who are jewellers from Jaipur have fled from the country after they were alerted by Vindu Dara Singh.


Gurunath Meiyappan

Among them, Chhabra had even got Rajeev Gandhi Global Excellence Award given by a private foundation for growth in business. Gurunath was arrested by Mumbai police on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud on May 24, after being summoned to the city for questioning over betting and links to bookies.

Police investigations suggested that Vindu and Gurunath were in frequent telephonic contact. The actor was also seen in the CSK box during IPL matches.

Items seized

>> An iPhone
>> An iPad
>> Three phones
>> The diary
>> IPL auction lists

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10 Albums to watch out for in 2010

Whatever be the fate of Bollywood films year after year, there is always something consistent about the world of films and that happens to be it's music. 2009 saw quite a few good soundtracks hitting the stands and 2010 should be no exception with number of diverse films spread across genres. While 2009 was dominated by Pritam, 2010 is pretty much setting the stage for number of top line composers with Vishal-Shekhar and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy also joining in. A.R. Rahman is expected to continue his good work; Rajesh Roshan would be back as well while Himesh Reshammiya is expected to churn out his yearly hit. Meanwhile, expect a few surprises from the likes of Salim-Sulaiman as well as new finds Sachin & Jigar. Joginder Tuteja brings to you 10 most anticipated albums of 2010 (in alphabetical order) that should see an all around popularity in months to come.

Action Replayy (Pritam)

Pritam is expected to carry forward the great run that he has been enjoying during last 3-4 years. Action Replayy is also special because it brings together the hit team of Vipul Shah, Akshay Kumar and Pritam together after Singh Is Kinng. Vipul has been known for roping in different composers for each of his films, whether it was Aankhen (Jatin-Lalit, Aadesh Srivastava), Waqt - Race Against Time (Anu Malik) or Namastey London (Himesh Reshammiya). However, after London Dreams (Shankar Ehsaan Loy), he has gone back to Pritam and in the process repeated a composer for the first time ever.

Anjaana Anjaani (Vishal Shekhar)

Vishal and Shekhar were quiet all through 2009 with Aladin (for which they composed a couple of years back) being their sole release of the year. However, it was for a reason since they were getting bigger things in place for entire 2010. The year should begin with Anjaana Anjaani and it has all the right reasons to be mighty successful. Reason being that in Siddharth Anand's Bachna Ae Haseeno and Salaam Namaste, they gave some real good melodies even though Ta Ra Rum Pum was a step behind. Now with Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra forming the film's cast, it is but obvious that the composer duo would push themselves further for this Sajid Nadiadwala production.

Guzaarish (Sanjay Leela Bhansali)

He didn't quite make history with the music of Saawariya. However, the reputation that Sanjay Leela Bhansali carries ever since the days of Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas means that the man is expected to deliver goods in a big way with Guzaarish. Since he has himself decided to hold the baton for the music of this Hrithik Roshan - Aishwarya Rai starrer as the composer, the excitement is palpable. Expect the man with a vision of his own to surprise and reinvent filmmaking as well as music all over again with Guzaarish.

Housefull (Shankar Ehsaan Loy)

This is one 'houseful' affair waiting to happen. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy may not have created a blockbuster score in 2009 but they did deliver good quality music all through the year. Sajid Khan directed Housefull is touted to be that BIG project for the composer trio where they are expected to go all out in getting a huge commercial soundtrack in place. With a huge star cast to boast of and Sajid's eye for mass appeal to vouch for, Housefull is expected to be the first musical success for Akshay Kumar in 2010.

I Hate Luv Stories (Vishal Shekhar)

Sheer volume of albums being churned out by Vishal-Shekhar in 2010 indicates that this could well be their year after a rather dull 2009. Not restricted to working in any fixed camps, the composer duo is smartly balancing work across different filmmakers. For this Karan Johar production, they are expected to create a peppy rom-com outing (going with the genre of the film). Coming together of Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor is enticing enough and icing on the cake would be music by Vishal and Shekhar that should keep the flag high for them all through the year.

Kajraare (Himesh Reshammiya)

His Radio may have sunk at the box office but it's music was much appreciated right till it's release. As a composer he has not let down even once and there is no reason why Kajraare should be any different. Moreover, since he joins hands with Bhatts (who have a rather impressive track record as far as their musical outings are concerned), Himesh is expected to put in double the effort for Kajraare. This time around though, Himesh would certainly be hoping that his good luck with music rubs on his foray into acting as well.

Kites (Rajesh Roshan)

Hrithik Roshan. Rakesh Roshan. Rajesh Roshan. Need one say more about this combination? Their soundtrack for Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai may stay on to be their best while Krrish wasn't exactly the kind of outing that met sky high expectations of their fans and followers. Still, Roshans are a brand together and that should get wheels moving for Kites as well. Also, a fact that cannot be ignored is the involvement of director Anurag Basu whose taste in music won't raise any doubts. Remember Life In A Metro, Gangster and Murder?

Ra. 1 (Vishal Shekhar)

Ra. 1 may or may not release in 2010 but if it indeed does then this could well be a film to watch out for. Vishal and Shekhar have been known for their consistency and their penchant for doing limited but quality projects is helping them build a unique branding for themselves. With Shah Rukh Khan, they have made Om Shanti Om while with director Anubhav Sinha they have made some rocking tracks in Dus and much ignored Cash. Ra. 1 is just the kind of assignment that could redefine the musical scene as the first decade of the new millennium comes to an end.

Raavan (A. R. Rahman)

From a techno Ra 1, it's time to jump on to mythical Raavan with A.R. Rahman promising a lot for this Mani Ratnam directed modern day tale. From Dil Se to Yuva to Guru, Rahman has always delivered the best for Ratnam and expectations are gargantuan from this Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer. The soundtrack is expected to be attached to the roots and set in a characteristic Indian backdrop. From the Oscar award composer, Raavan would be one of the biggest efforts to watch out for in 2010.

Tees Maar Khan (Vishal Shekhar)

Tees Maar Khan is all set to arrive by the end of this year. With Farah Khan joining hands with Vishal-Shekhar once again after Om Shanti Om and Akshay Kumar bringing on his star quotient and a strong music sense intact, Tees Maar Khan is a big project waiting to explode. Expect a 100% masala outing sans any pretence in the music of Tees Maar Khan that should keep the lovers of mass commercial Bollywood soundtracks happy.

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