Anurag Thakur proposes 10-year jail term for match-fixers

Thakur’s decision to introduce the bill comes as a step in the right direction after the controversies that hit Indian cricket during the 2013 spot-fixing scandal. When asked by PTI about the reasons behind introducing the bill, Thakur said that it is a move to bring accountability in sports.

"It is only fair to bring in accountability to be fair to sports lovers. As such there is no law which is there to curb match-fixing. It is absolutely mandatory to have a law that can combat the menace," Thakur told PTI.

The bill has been placed in the Lower House of the Parliament and if passed will not only impose a life ban but also 10 years of jail time as well as fine of five times the bribe amount in cases of match fixing. The bill’s main objective is, "to establish a national sports ethics body to ensure ethical practices in sports as well as strive towards the elimination of doping practices, match fixing and fair play, fraud of age, gender and sexual harassment of women in sports.

"This comes as an aftermath of the recent corruption and match-fixing charges that were thrown up in Indian Cricket and other sports by multiple players.

"The concerned players are currently charged under inappropriate sections of Dishonesty and Cheating under Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as Prevention of Corruption Act in the courts but the sportspersons often get easily free because these laws don't apply for sports,” reported PTI.

The 'National Sports Ethics Commission', which is proposed by the bill, will consist of judges as well as eminent sports personalities. Any type of fraudulent activities will also result in jail time as per the bill.