Strict action has been taken against four Indian players after serious allegations of match-fixing surfaced during the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. The Assam Cricket Association has suspended Ishan Ahmed, Aman Tripathi, Amit Saxena and Abhishek Thakur with immediate action. An FIR has been registered in this matter by the Guwahati Crime Branch. All these players have been banned from participating in any tournament organized by the association until the investigation is completed. Now let us look at the legal provisions related to match fixing in India in this whole case.
Lack of clear laws for match fixing
There is no separate or special law for match fixing in India at present. India does not have specific laws designed to maintain the sanctity of sports like some other countries. This is why law enforcement agencies resort to the general criminal laws in such cases.
Which sections of the Indian Penal Code are applicable?
In match-fixing cases, the police usually apply the cheating sections of the Indian Penal Code. The most widely used of them is Section 318, which applies when a person dishonestly causes harm or wrongful advantage to another person. This clause is enforced due to cheating of teams, organizers, sponsors as well as the general public in match fixing. If more than one player or outside agent is involved in the offence, Section 61 is also added, which deals with criminal conspiracy. Because match fixing is often not a solitary act and involves coordination with bookies or intermediaries.
What are the penalties for match fixing?
Conviction under the cheating and conspiracy sections of the Indian Penal Code carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine. Punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime and the amount of money involved. However, convictions in match-fixing cases in India have often proved difficult due to the absence of specific laws and lack of sufficient evidence.
BCCI’s role and strict stance
While criminal proceedings move at a slow pace, the Board of Control for Cricket in India shows no leniency in such cases. The BCCI can immediately suspend players under its anti-corruption unit and code of conduct. If necessary, a longer ban or even a lifetime ban on conviction can be imposed.
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