T20 leagues need to be scrutinised, says ACU chief

New Delhi, November 9

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ajit Singh feels there is “a need to examine ownership module” of franchises in T20 leagues to safeguard them from corrupt elements.

The arrest of two First-Class players in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match-fixing scandal will act as a “deterrent” for mischievous elements, he said. CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi, both of whom have been part of IPL teams, were arrested for their alleged role in fixing the KPL final between Bellary Tuskers and Hubli Tigers.

“These teams have been bought through open auction and they have not been auctioned by the BCCI but by the state association,” Ajit Singh said. “I presume whoever was the highest bidder owned the franchises. So now whatever has been the module of owning these franchises need to be examined.”

Asked if police verification of potential owners can be a way out, the former DGP of Rajasthan Police said it is easier said than done. “Police verifications don’t always work,” he said. “If there is nothing on record, police will simply give its report saying there is nothing on record about the concerned person. So that will be the end of it. Even if somebody has a criminal record, he may have a front-person bidding for a team.”

He said strong personal level interactions, a thorough check of financial records of owners from time to time would be a much better idea.

“You have to have a very strong personal interaction with them and it has to be drilled regularly that there will be zero tolerance for corruption,” he said. “Also you can examine their financial records before allowing them to bid and even afterwards. I am not a finance expert, so somebody belonging to this field will be able to decide doables and non-doables. But some sort of a monitoring is also required there.” — PTI