Belagavi Panthers owner Ali Asfak arrested for betting
Belagavi Panthers owner Ali Asfak Thara was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru for allegedly betting during the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) tournament. The CCB are also conducting investigations into whether match-fixing activities were involved in the KPL.
Just last week, BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), led by Ajit Singh Shekhawat, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) began their inquiry into corruption allegations in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Now, the CCB, led by Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil, have established that Thara was involved in betting activities with a Dubai-based bookie during the KPL. Thara, who came on board ahead of the 2017 season, was arrested on Monday and it is understood that players are also being questioned as part of the investigation.
"We arrested Belagavi Panthers team owner Ali Asfak Thara for placing bets on matches. The accused placed bets with the help of a Dubai-based bookie. Regarding match-fixing, it is still under inquiry. Investigation revealed that Thara was in touch with players of other teams during KPL matches. The players are being questioned," Patil was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.
The Panthers have been with the tournament since its inception in 2009 and went on to win the title in the 2017 season. Although they finished second in the points table this season, they lost the Qualifier 2 match to Hubli Tigers. Indian cricketer Manish Pandey featured in four matches for the Panthers during the 2019 season.