Police Arrest Former Ranji Trophy Player In KPL Betting Scam

In shocking news, the former Ranji Trophy player who had been involved in a betting scam recently was detained by Bengaluru police on Wednesday. The ex-Ranji player identified as Sudhendra Shinde, who is also a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) management committee member went against the gentleman’s game by promoting and doing infamous betting Karnataka Premier League (KPL) betting scam, an official added in a statement.

The central crime branch Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Jain told news agency IANS that Sudhendra Shinde was arrested for aiding Belagavi Panthers owner Asfaq Ali Thara in betting and fixing matches which are deemed contrary to the spirit of cricket.

“Shinde was arrested for assisting Belagavi Panthers owner Asfaq Ali Thara in betting and spot-fixing KPL matches. He facilitated and had knowledge.”

In the just-concluded 2019 KPL edition, Shinde worked as the coach of Belgavi Panthers T20 team, owned by Ashfaq Ali Thara, who was also detained and now he is on bail. Kuldeep Jain added that Sudhendra Shinde would be produced before a magistrate court. On Monday, as many as five police officers searched Shinde’s home here and found some material, which central crime branch Deputy Commissioner of Police said was being investigated into.

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Shinde was entrusted with the job of developing cricket in the state:

After confirming Shinde that he is a managing committee member in the KSCA, elected from the Raichur zone, the state cricket association treasurer by the name of Vinaya Mruthyunjaya added that Shinde had been closely connected with the body for many years. According to him, as the KSCA managing committee member, Shinde was handed the responsibility of developing cricket in Karnataka’s Raichur area.

“Shinde, a former Karnataka player, has served as a coach, selector and worked in various other capacities,” said Mruthyunjaya. Jain added that the crime branch didn’t meet BCCI officials again following a recent informal meeting here. “We are in regular touch with the BCCI officials through emails and phone calls,” said Jain. It was only recently that ICC and the BCCI reached out to the Bengaluru Police, promising complete assistance and information in removing corruption in KPL and the game.

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