Karnataka Premier League: CCB arrests coach Shinde who also allegedly fixed match
The Central Crime Branch which is probing the matter had grilled Shinde for two days and has finally been arrested.
BENGALURU: The fixing saga around the Karnataka Premier League refuses to die down as another case came into the spotlight on Wednesday. Bengaluru city police arrested Sudhindra Shinde, the coach of Belagavi Panthers, on charges of match-fixing on Wednesday.
“The arrests so far are backed by a lot of evidences. On the basis of it, we are arresting them. Sudhindra Shinde has been arrested on the basis of evidences,” Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao said.
The Central Crime Branch which is probing the matter had grilled Shinde for two days and has finally been arrested.
Modus operandi
Explaining how the process went about, Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner (Crime) said that the accused Shinde ran a Social Cricket Club in Jayanagar. Ashfaq Thar Ali, the owner of Belagavi Panthers visited the club and sponsored players and those players went on to find places in various KPL teams and help fix the matches.
Shinde had appeared before the CCB (Central Crime Branch) for questioning on Tuesday but refused to answer any questions. There were contradictions to his statements and the witness statements and findings of the investigation. His house was also raided by the CCB two days ago.
Shinde is a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) managing committee from the Raichur zone and coaches the Karnataka Under-19 cricket team.
Police seek help
The police commissioner has asked the cricketers to come forward and assist the investigation in the Karnataka Premier League and not wait for the police to come and knock on the doors. “Do not wait until the police knock on your doors” he said.
Hinting that there are more people involved in the scam, the police commissioner implored the players to turn approvers and gain immunity in bargain.
“Under CRPC (Code of criminal procedure), the players can become approvers and help the police in the investigation. There are many more involved in the scam. The players can give the information and could prevent the arrests,” he maintained.
The latest turn of events follow on the heels of the arrest of Ballari Tuskers players CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi who was arrested last month for match-fixing.