Continuing the current match fixing investigations into the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have suspended Raj Kundra co-owner of IPL team Rajasthan Royals from being involved in business and day to day operations pending a BCCI inquiry. The Rajasthan Royals are at the center of a spot-fixing scandal with alleged implication to co-owner Raj Kundra.
Acorrding to investigations by Indian police Kundra has admitted to illegal betting on his team. Furthermore Three Royals players have been arrested over allegations of spot-fixing and betting during the latest edition of the IPL, including Indian Fast Bowler bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. Kundra a popular celebrity businessman in India, with business tie ins in metal and construction is the highest profile businessman attached to the ongoing investigation. Kundra is also known in the UK for marrying celebrity and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.
The BCCI official said that a report on the players by the board’s anti-corruption unit was submitted in a sealed envelope at the meeting and would be sent to a separate disciplinary committee. According to an agreement between the BCCI and IPL sides, if any franchise group or owner acts in a way which has a “material adverse effect” on the reputation of the BCCI or the league, then their agreement will be terminated.
This latest betting scandal comes amidst Indian Parliament studying the possibility of legalizing online gambling in the region
