The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been keeping a close tab on untoward elements in the ongoing IPL season.
So far in IPL 2024, the ACU has evicted four suspected bookies from two venues, both involving Rajasthan Royals, in Jaipur and Mumbai.
According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the ACU tracked down two bookies each at both the venues and handed them over to the local police.
During Rajasthan Royals’ home fixture against Delhi Capitals on March 28, two suspects were evicted from a corporate box at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Three days later, two other suspected bookies were forced to leave the President’s Box inside the Wankhede stadium in RR’s away match against MI.
Bookies often utilize stadium access to reduce the time delay associated with live broadcasts, referred to as pitch-sliding, to make profits from illegal betting. They may also potentially gain access to players and officials.
While betting is illegal in India, it remains the biggest market for cricket betting globally. There is no specific law in place to prosecute those involved in betting and match-fixing.
The news of bookies getting evicted has also put the allocation of passes to luxury boxes under scanner. For instance, the President’s Box in Mumbai is exclusively for invitees. Moreover, this box is situated near the players' dressing rooms.
During the 2021 edition of IPL, potential corruptors plugged an accredited cleaner at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium to engage in pitch-siding before the ACU apprehended him.
It is worth mentioning here that the IPL has been rocked by corrupt activities in the past. In 2013, the league was shaken by a spot-fixing scandal when the Delhi Police arrested three Rajasthan Royals players namely S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan after their match in Mumbai over alleged spot-fixing. As many as 11 bookies were also arrested at the time.
The players were handed life bans after the enquiry, while Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended from the league for two years.
