Karnataka Premier League team Belagavi Panthers' owner Asfaq Ali arrested in betting scam
The police claimed to have busted an international cricket betting scandal with the arrest of Belagavi Panthers' owner Asfaq Ali Thara.
In Short
- Asfaq Ali's role in match fixing is also under investigation, Bengaluru joint commissioner of police confirmed
- T20 leagues like TNPL and KPL have been in the news for all the wrong reasons due to betting and fixing controversies
- Police claimed to have busted an international cricket betting scandal with Asfaq Ali's arrest
Karnataka's league cricket team Belagavi Panthers' owner Asfaq Ali Thara was arrested for his alleged involvement in a betting scam in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) Tournament, run by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), police said on Wednesday.
The police claimed to have busted an international cricket betting scandal with his arrest. Ali, they said, had placed bets on matches with a Dubai based bookie.
"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," Bengaluru joint commissioner of police Sandeep Patil said.
"Regarding match fixing, it is still under enquiry. Ali was in touch with players of other teams during KPL," Patil added.
The KSCA runs the KPL T20 tournament every year on the lines of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) run by the cash-rich Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Players of other teams have also been summoned for questioning, he said.
"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 said in a statement.
The KPL tournament for 2019 was held from August 16-31.
The KPL has seven teams representing prominent cities and towns across the southern state, including Bengaluru Blasters, Bellary Tuskers, Bijapur Bulls, Hubli Tigers, Mysuru Warriors and Namma Shivamogga squad.