BENGALURU: In a major breakthrough, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has unearthed a betting and match-fixing scandal in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), which may reach Sandalwood industry too.
CCB sleuths arrested Belagavi Panthers’ team owner Ali Ahswaq Tar for placing bets during the recently concluded KPL tournament. CCB sources said that the investigation will soon catch up with the Sandalwood industry.
Big stars among others who represented different KPL teams will also be investigated in connection with match fixing and betting allegations.
Ali, the accused who owned Belagavi Panthers team, had placed bets with a bookie who allegedly operates from Dubai.
Joint Commissioner (Crime) Sandeep Patil said that Ali was arrested for betting and added that further investigations will be taken up. He said that match fixing allegations are still under investigation.
“However, accused Ali was in touch with players of other teams during the KPL tourney. The players are being enquired to ascertain whether there was any match fixing,” he said.
Asked whether anyone from the Sandalwood film industry will be inquired in connection with match fixing and betting during IPL, Sandeep Patil said that they are interrogating Ali first.
“As of now nothing can be said. When the investigation progresses and after we complete the inquiry of Ali, the officers will know about the facts. We will proceed as and when facts come out,” he explained.
It is said that already four players of different teams in KPL are being questioned. Their identity has been kept a secret keeping in mind the future course of investigation. As many as 16 people were taken into custody and they were let off after being questioned, sources said. The role of Ali came out when the officers grilled a Dubai-based bookie. Accused Ali was found to be helping the bookies in placing bets on different matches.
It is to be seen how the investigation progresses. Many big stars of Kannada film industry and other film industries participated in the cricket tournament.
