Karnataka Police puts KPL on hold till fixing investigation is concluded

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) treasurer, Vinay Mruthyunjaya has stated that the Karnataka Premier League will be on hold till the fixing scandal was settled. This statement also meant that the auctions of the KPL will also get affected until the entire police investigation was complete.

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Talking to Cricbuzz, Mruthyunjaya said:

"All activities related to KPL will resume only after the investigation is completed and we get the final report from the police... We don't know how much time it will take for the investigation to be completed. But there is still nine months for the next edition to begin, so hopefully, it will be completed by then."

Five arrests have been made in relation to KPL fixing, including four players and one coach. Two of the four players, Abrar Kazi and CM Gautam are former Karnataka players while the latter has represented RCB, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. Gautam and Kazi were earlier arrested on charges of spot-fixing during the KPL final between Hubli Tigers and Bellary Tuskers. The two players were allegedly paid ₹20 lakhs for batting with a low strike-rate. Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach Vinu Prasad was also arrested earlier along with players Nishant Singh Shekhawat and M Viswanathan.

CM Gautam

According to Bengaluru Police commissioner, Bhaskar Rao, cheerleaders were used as honey traps to lure former and current cricketers to indulge in fixing and bring disrepute to the game. Speaking to IANS, he said:

“Today there are many non-playing cricketers involved [other] than those playing on the field, and it has become a business for them as they travel to Dubai, West Indies and other foreign countries and stay at five-star hotels… They have also indulged in blackmailing of players through honey traps. The game has become insignificant and the activities of these betters have only increased."

According to an IANS report, KSCA were asked to send a detailed report on KPL, it’s functioning and the recruitment procedure of the players as well as cheerleaders.