KPL: Belagavi Panthers owner arrested in international betting racket; players summoned for questioning
The Central Crime Branch confirmed that KPL team Belagavi Panthers owner Ali Asfak Thara was in touch with a bookie who is based in Dubai and with this arrest claims to have busted an international betting scandal.
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Bengaluru: In a major breakthrough, Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths arrested the owner of Belagavi Panthers team owner Ali Asfak Thara for allegedly betting on Karnataka Premier League matches, which is organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
CCB confirmed that he was in touch with a bookie who is based in Dubai and with this arrest claims to have busted an international betting racket.
CCB investigation revealed that Thara was in touch with various players of different teams in the tournament.
The investigating authorities have so far questioned 34 players with regard to the alleged betting racket.
A media report quoted Bengaluru joint commissioner of police Sandeep Patil, who said, "On a tip-off that Thara was in touch with a Dubai-based bookie, the city's central crime branch police have taken him into custody on Tuesday to unearth the betting scam in the league cricket."
Adding that Ali was in touch with players of other teams, Patil stated that the enquiry regarding his involvement in match fixing is underway and that players of other teams have also been called in for questioning.
"We are investigating Thara's role in an alleged match fixing in which a few players of other teams are reportedly involved. We have summoned them also for questioning, as he was in touch with some of them," Patil reportedly stated.
The annual KPL T20 tournament hosts seven teams from Karnataka; Mysuru Warriors, Bellary Tuskers, Namma Shivamogga, Bengaluru Blasters, Bijapur Bulls and Hubli Tigers.
