Bangalore: A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to go deeper into the match-fixing scandal that has rocked the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), Bangalore Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said Wednesday.
The SIT has been formed within the Central Crime Branch (CCB) that is investigating the KPL fixing scam. He said SIT is necessary to probe into the scam as means like blackmailing of players through honey-trapping had been used.
“On the basis of information that we have got we have arrested seven persons so far. I have directed our Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil to collect information about all KPL teams,” Rao told reporters.
“Today there are many non-playing cricketers involved than those playing on the field, and it has become a business for them as they travel to Dubai, West Indies and other foreign countries and stay at five-star hotels. They also indulge in blackmailing of players through honey trap. The game has become insignificant and the activities of these betters have only increased,” he added.
Rao said regulatory bodies of the game like BCCI and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have remained ‘mute spectators’ despite knowing everything.
“This fixing issue is very much in their domain, they should take action,” Rao asserted.
“We have issued notices to all teams asking for videos, scoresheet, details of the managers and others. I have formed a small SIT (Special Investigation Team) within the CCB to go deep into this. Let’s see where it goes,” Rao added.
Several senior players have expressed the need to cleanse cricket and that the guilty should be booked. Action should also be taken against those who remain silent despite knowing things, Rao stated.
The CCB had recently issued a ‘Look Out Circular’ (LOC) against the Bellary Tuskers team owner Arvind Venkatesh Reddy in connection with the case while Belagavi Panthers owner Asfak Ali Thara had been arrested earlier. Two cricket players CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi were also recently arrested in connection with the scandal.
Agencies
