Karnataka Premier League (KPL) Match-Fixing Case: CCB Arrest International Bookie Sayyam

Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru has made another arrest in the ongoing probe of Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match fixing case. CCB has arrested international bookie Sayyam. According to CCB, Sayyam is a resident of Haryana. A look-out circular had been issued for him related to the KPL match fixing investigation.

Last week, CCB had arrested two more players in connection with the case. These players were part of the Ballari Tuskers (also known as Bellary Tuskers) team in the league in 2019 season. Police arrested Bellary team captain CM Gautam and player Abrar Kazi for alleged involvment in spot fixing during KPL matches. Kazi and Gautam are accused of spot fixing during the KPL 2019 final match between Bellary and Hubli. They were allegedly paid 20 lakh for slow batting and other things. They are accused of fixing another match in KPL 2019 against the Bengaluru side.

Another KPL player Nishant Singh Shekhawat, a batsman who has played in multiple editions of the Karnataka Premier League for different teams, has also been arrested on charges of involvement in fixing matches in KPL 2018. Shekhawat has been accused of helping bookies reach out to players and coaching staff of teams to get them involved in illegal betting.

The bowling coach of the Bengaluru Blasters team Vinu Prasad and a batsman M Vishwanathan have also been arrested on account of cheating and conspiracy.

In September, the owner of a Karnataka Premier League team Belagavi Panthers Ashfaq Ali Thara was arrested in connection with an alleged international cricket betting scandal, police said. Police said they had sufficient evidence to suggest that Thara had placed bets on matches with a Dubai based bookie.

The KPL was the first T20 league to be launched by a state association in India. It is organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association.