IPL-2018: Madras HC issues notices to Centre, BCCI over PIL
The Madras High Court has issued notices to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Central government based on a PIL filed by IPS officer G Sampath Kumar. Kumar sought to restrain the board from conducting the 11th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in the absence of adequate measures to prevent match-fixing and betting. Here are more details.
Kumar claimed BCCI doesn't have proper system to check match-fixing
Kumar, in his petition, said BCCI doesn't have a proper system in place to check match-fixing and added that the board doesn't have a database of players' earnings nor about bookies, fixers, and kingpins of illegal-betting. The 11th edition of IPL begins on April 7 at Mumbai, with a match between Mumbai Indians and CSK, who are making a comeback from a two-year ban.
CSK, Rajasthan Royals banned for 2 years over illegal betting
In 2015, a panel appointed by the Supreme Court suspended Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals after finding them guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe. Both franchises are back this season after serving the two-year ban.
Kumar said he does not want ban on IPL
A bench orally observed that though petitioner's apprehensions were bonafide, how the game could be stalled just because there was a possibility of match-fixing and other offenses, wondering, "We have many laws to prevent corruption...can we say that corruption doesn't exist in society." Kumar said he wasn't seeking a ban on IPL, but wanted a credible system in place before the season commences.
Petitioner investigated 2013 IPL spot-fixing
The IPS officer was involved in investigating the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting cases. "Contrary to the Lodha Committee report, vested interests still continue to be protected in the IPL, and the questions of conflict of interest remain unaddressed by BCCI," Kumar alleged.
