Match-Fixing in UP T20 League!! FIR lodged, UP Police gets into action..

The UP T20 League is facing a match-fixing controversy just ahead of the tournament final, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 6. Authorities in Lucknow have registered an FIR following a complaint from the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) after an alleged attempt to manipulate matches.

The league has come under scrutiny after a suspicious message. As per the FIR filed on August 31, Kashi Rudra team manager Arjun Chauhan received the message from an Instagram account named ‘vipss_nakrani’. The complaint was filed by Hardayal Singh Champawat, the league’s anti-corruption manager.

Match-Fixing Shadow Over UP T20 League as Team Manager Receives Suspicious Offer

The suspect, claiming to be a high-profile bookmaker, attempted to fix matches in the UP T20 League, offering ₹1 crore to manipulate outcomes and promising a ₹50 lakh commission to the Kashi Rudra team manager.

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He instructed that players follow his directions during games and guaranteed immediate payments in cash or US dollars. The ACU recorded all WhatsApp messages and voice calls, collecting screenshots, transcripts, and audio clips as evidence.

After review, the unit determined it was a criminal conspiracy for match-fixing and illegal betting. The team manager reported the approach immediately, and the ACU set up a trap, documenting the interactions before submitting the evidence to the police for investigation.

Investigation Underway to Identify Suspect Behind UP T20 League Match-Fixing - DCP Nipun Agarwal

DCP South Zone Nipun Agarwal said the charges include cheating, cheating by personation, organised crime, attempted offences, violations of the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and Section 66D of the IT Act.

Agarwal added that authorities are actively investigating to identify the Instagram account holder and trace any network of accomplices involved in the alleged conspiracy.

"We have registered a case against the unidentified suspect and his associates under BNS sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 112 (penalising organised crime), 62 (attempting to commit offences), section 3 of the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and Section 66D of the IT Act," said DCP South Zone, Nipun Agarwal.

"An investigation is underway to trace the identity of the suspect operating the Instagram account and his possible network of accomplices," said Agarwal.

Bookies Allegedly Target Multiple Teams in UP T20 League

The bookie may have connections with players and staff from other teams as well. The Kashi Rudra team manager recorded the WhatsApp audio call with the suspect, and a complaint was filed at the police station.

Authorities plan to review past matches to detect suspicious activities, while the Cyber Crime Cell is tracing the bookie’s IP address and Instagram contacts. Bookies had previously approached two squads staying at a five-star hotel in Sushant Golf City.

Following the 2013 IPL scandal, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were banned for two years. Bookies attempting to contact players were apprehended at Green Park during an IPL match.

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