As per the top source in the sports ministry, the law ministry has sent back the draft bill after making some "amendments" which will ensure that every National Sports Association (NSF) in India, including BCCI, will come under the ambit of this proposed law, as and when enacted.
At last, the proposed 'Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill' reached the table of sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday. Once passed by the Parliament, it will put any sportsperson or official, including those of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — committing fraud while competing, including under-performance — behind bars for a maximum of five years.
As per the top source in the sports ministry, the law ministry has sent back the draft bill after making some "amendments" which will ensure that every National Sports Association (NSF) in India, including BCCI, will come under the ambit of this proposed law, as and when enacted.
Once Sonowal signs the bill, it is likely to be sent for the Cabinet's approval during the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament.
The government acted after the Supreme Court intervention in the Indian Premier League spot-fixing case, which involved the two high-profile teams — Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals — along with a few reputed players.
The bill has provisions for all the NSFs to draft 'code of conduct' for their players, match officials and office bearers.
"If any player, official or administrator is caught cheating, there is provision for heavy fines and a jail term up to maximum of five years in cases like match-fixing," a source in the Sports ministry told dna on Wednesday.
Though, the details of the bill are not known, dna has come to know that there are various categories of fraud being defined in the draft. From deriving economic benefit to manipulating results, spot-fixing and wilfully under-performing for monetary or other benefits are some of actions that will attract severe punishment under the proposed bill.
The sharing of insider information also attracts jail term while a fine up to 10 times of monetary gain is apparently suggested in the bill. Above all, in cases where the crime is found to be committed by any of the NSF, every "responsible" official of that organisation would deem to be guilty of the crime.
NSFs to draft own code
The bill will have provision for all the NSFs to draft their own 'Fraud Code' for players, match officials and administrators.
The BCCI will have to frame a separate code for on-field players and officials (read umpires and support staff) and for the office-bearers.
IPL spot-fixers may still go scot-free
Even though Sonowal is likely to sign the draft bill in the next couple of days, it is unlikely that it will be tabled in the Parliament before the next "winter session". This means that all the accused like Gurunath Meiyappan of CSK and Raj Kundra of RR or for that matter players facing trial in 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal are likely to be go scot-free with minor punishments or paltry fines of Rs 200. As per the "Public Gambling Act of 1867" in India, any person found involved in the betting can only be fined Rs 200 or up to three months in prison. "Unfortunately, with the kind of disruptions we are witnessing right now, who is going to push for a Sport Bill. We all know that sports is last priority in our country," a source in the ministry added.
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