KPL betting: Bookies blackmailed players through honey-trapping

News Network
November 21, 2019

Nov 21: In a new development in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match-fixing scandal, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Wednesday revealed that players had allegedly been blackmailed through honey-trapping tactics by bookies.

The police commissioner shared new details of the scandal while announcing that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was being formed within the Central Crime Branch (CCB), which is currently investigating the match-fixing scandal that has jolted the league.

Bhaskar Rao said that bookies filmed players enjoying themselves on luxurious trips. The players were sent on trips to places like Dubai and the Caribbean. They were provided with five-star accommodation, money and escorts. Their activities were filmed and they were later blackmailed with the videos from their trips. Worried that the tapes would be leaked, the players followed bookies' instructions, the Deccan Herald reported.

The police commissioner added that some of the results of matches played in the league were decided before the matches began.

The match-fixing scandal came to light in September this year with the arrest of Belagavi Panthers owner Ali Asfak. Since then, details have slowly emerged revealing a wide web of match-fixing in the Twenty20 cricket league, by bookies.

Former Karnataka cricketers CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi were arrested by the CCB on charges of fixing in the KPL final held in March this year.

Gautam, who was the captain of Bellary Tuskers, and Abrar who plays for the same team, allegedly accepted Rs 20 lakh for "slow batting" in the final against Hubli Tigers. Bellary Tuskers lost the final by 8 runs and the manner in which they lost has now raised suspicions of a match-fixing scandal.

Chasing 153 runs, Bellary Tuskers ended their innings at 144. Opening batsman Gautam scored a 37-ball 29 while Kazi struck 13 off six deliveries.

KPL is run by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) every year on the lines of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Bhaskar Rao said that the regulatory bodies - KSCA and BCCI - should have acted soon after the scandal came to light and confirmed that members of both bodies will be summoned for interrogation.

In all, seven people have been arrested in connection with the scam. Investigating officials had recently issued a ‘lookout circular' against the Bellary Tuskers team owner Arvind Venkatesh Reddy.

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News Network
May 15,2020

Bengaluru, May 15: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday announced further relief package to the lockdown affected people.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said about Rs 500 crore would be earmarked to distribute to over 10 lakh farmers, who had grown Jowar and also cash compensation to the shepherds who would lose sheep and goats due to natural disasters.

While commending the efforts of the ASHA workers, who are remained in the frontline in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister said an additional Rs 3000 would be remitted to their bank accounts as an incentive.

The Chief minister had announced Rs 1610 crore cash relief package to benefit the auto drivers, barbers and washermen, last week.

He had also announced relief package to the farmers, and migrant workers and construction workers.

Replying to questions, he denied that by bringing amendment to the APMC Act, farmers would be suffered.

Brushing aside the criticism over an ordinance brought to the APMC Act by the Opposition Congress and the JD(S), the Chief Minister said “Amendment had been brought after taking care that farmers interests will not be adversely affected”.

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News Network
June 30,2020

Shivamogga, Jun 30: The organic farmers' market in Shivamogga in Karnataka has seen a rise in the demand for organic fruits and vegetables in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents of nearby areas frequently visit the market to get fresh produce.

According to Sridhar, a farmer who sells his produce in the market, the demand for organic fruits and vegetables was very low before the coronavirus outbreak.

"I have been involved in organic farming for the last two decades but there was no real market. Since these days everyone is trying to boost their immunity, we are getting a lot of positive response from the locals," he told news agency.

Sridhar and other farmers come from villages near the city. They are authentic organic farmers under the Vikas Trust and Savayava Krishi Parivar, a federation of organic farmer's families based in Karnataka, and they promote pesticide and fertiliser free agriculture.

Gurumel Singh, who often comes to the local market said, "My family has started eating more organic fruits and vegetable now because of the pandemic. We have been told it is important to take care of our health and organic fruits and vegetables are good immunity boosters. The fruits I buy from the organic market are also much sweeter than the ones I get elsewhere."

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coastaldigest.com web desk
June 21,2020

Bengaluru, June 21: An assistant sub-inspector of police who was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection in city-based Victoria hospital passed away on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday as he did not respond to the treatment for coronavirus.

The 59-year-old ASI was attached to the Wilson Garden traffic police station in Bengaluru. He tested positive for coronavirus on June 18 and was rushed to the COVID ward in Victoria hospital on June 19. He had fever for the last four days. His wife and two children have been quarantined. According to the police, the station has not yet been sealed down and no policemen have been quarantined.

The Wilson Garden ASI is the third Bengaluru police personnel to die of COVID-19 in the last one week. Earlier, an ASI from the VV Puram traffic police station had died undergoing treatment. On Saturday morning, a head constable from the Kalasipalya police station who was admitted at Victoria hospital passed away. The series of deaths in the police department has created fear among other policemen across the city.

One the other hand, dozens of policemen were tested positive in different parts of Karnataka today including 21 from two police stations of Bengaluru. 

Around 15 policemen from the Kalasipalya police station and five policemen from the Ashok Nagar traffic police station tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

In Kalasipalya, three ASIs, head constables and police constables have tested positive. In Ashok Nagar traffic police station, a probationary sub-inspector, an ASI, two police constables and a lady constable tested positive for the virus.

One more police constable working in Bandepalya police station also tested positive. Seven policemen who were in his primary contacts have been quarantined. BBMP officials have begun the process of fumigating the station premises and its surroundings.

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