IPL & BCCI Reputation Gets Cleaner As CBI Shuts A Four-Year-Old Betting Case
Jay Shah alongside other BCCI dignitaries (x.com)
Betting in sports has existed since time immemorial, however, in cricket, it really came into the forefront in the late 1990s, when match-fixing went rampant across the playing field.
With the advent of T20 cricket and numerous franchises, betting became even more mainstream, with several companies indulging in surrogate advertising and subliminally promoting gambling.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a hotspot for fixers. In 2022, authorities filed fixing-related cases which came into the limelight after the anti-corruption unit busted the betting scandal related to IPL 2019.
As many as two FIRs were filed against seven individuals based out of Delhi and Hyderabad, who were allegedly involved in betting, a case which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was investigating
Now, CBI after two years of investigation following regarding betting in IPL 2019, has filed for closure of the two cases due to lack of evidence.
The FIR dated May 2022, mentioned in the complaint, "a network of individuals involved in cricket betting are influencing the outcome of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches based on inputs received from Pakistan".
As reported by Insidesport, the CBI on December 23 asked the special court to dismiss both cases, however, the final decision lies with the bench.
It should be clarified that betting is legal in several countries, however, in India is deemed illegal by the government and remains banned, and a punishable offence.
 "Vishal Mehra")
