Cricket

IPL 2023: Four Suspected Bookies Removed from Luxury Boxes in Jaipur and MumbaiThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has been rocked by another betting controversy, with four suspected bookies removed from luxury boxes at two venues. The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) identified two bookmakers at each venue and handed them over to the local police.The first incident occurred during the match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 28. The ACU apprehended two suspected bookies from a corporate box and handed them over to the local police.The second instance took place during RR's away game against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on April 1. The ACU identified two more suspected bookies in the President's Box, which is strictly reserved for invitees. However, an FIR was not lodged in this case due to a possible case of mistaken identity.The suspects were asked to leave the President's Box, and no untoward items were found on their electronic devices.Betting is illegal in India, and the ACU is working diligently to keep untoward elements away from the IPL. The IPL has been plagued by betting controversies in the past, including the spot-fixing scandal in 2013 that resulted in the arrest of three RR players and the banning of RR and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for two seasons.The ACU is utilizing various measures to combat betting, including monitoring social media, analyzing betting patterns, and conducting sting operations. The BCCI is also working with law enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal betting activities.The removal of suspected bookies from IPL venues is a positive step towards maintaining the integrity of the tournament. The ACU and BCCI are committed to ensuring that the IPL remains a fair and competitive event.