Haryana-based bookie arrested by Crime Branch in KPL spot-fixing case

In connection with the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match-fixing case, the Central Crime Branch on Monday confirmed that a Haryana-based bookie identified as Sayyam was arrested. A local court has ordered judicial custody of Sayyam for nine days, and the police are continuing the interrogation to retrieve more information. This comes after Bellary Tuskers captain CM Gautam, a former Karnataka wicketkeeper-batsman and his teammate Abrar Qazi were arrested by the city Central Crime Branch on charges of spot-fixing in the spot-fixing in the KPL final this year. 

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Another arrest in KPL spot-fixing

Central Crime Branch ACP S.M. Nagraj while speaking to a news agency said, "Sayyam has been arrested and we are continuing to interrogate him. However, we have not been able to retrieve any information so far. No valuables such as cash or others were confiscated from him." The two arrested, Gautam and Kazi, have also been banned by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) from using any facilities at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.

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Sayyam's arrest after the two domestic players were arrested on Thursday earlier in connection with the fixing scandal, taking the total number of those detained to seven. Bellary Tuskers captain CM Gautam, a former Karnataka wicketkeeper-batsman and his teammate Abrar Qazi were arrested by the city Central Crime Branch, which is investigating charges of fixing in the last two seasons of KPL. "We have arrested two players with regard to KPL fixing," Additional Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil had said. 

Both CM Gautham and Kazi had been named in their respective state squads for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament, scheduled to begin on Friday. On October 26, Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach Vinu Prasad and batsman Vishwanathan were arrested in connection with the fixing scandal. The coach allegedly manipulated a game between Bengaluru Blasters and Belagavi Panthers last year. The KPL fixing came to limelight with the arrest of Ali Ashfaq Thara, who owned the Belagavi team.

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