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Title: Regarding match fixing in cricket.

12.05 hrs. STATEMENT BY MINISTER *m01 THE MINISTER OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, the Government is seriously alarmed by the recent revelations regarding match fixing in cricket specially in the context of the recently concluded series between India and South Africa. The Delhi Police, on the basis of information in its possession, has lodged FIR No. 111/2000 in this connection against Mr. Hansie Cronje and others. Keeping in view these developments, the Department of Sports summoned all the concerned agencies and officials to get an insight into the various facts of this particular case. The case is under investigation and the full dimension of this problem will only be apparent once the detailed investigation gets completed. However, the Department is keeping a watch on developments in this case on a regular basis. This investigation will require full support of the persons and agencies concerned. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has assured that it will extend its complete co-operation in this regard so that the culprits could be discovered. They are also agreeable to making the Chandrachud Report public.

Other than the specific FIR registered by the Delhi Police, the Government does not, at this stage, have any specific complaint against particular Indian cricketers or office-bearers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Allegations of a general nature are, however, being reported in the media. Nevertheless, the Government will, in all seriousness, initiate necessary legal measures against practices of match fixing on the basis of specific complaints that may be received, after appropriate inquiry and necessary investigation. The Government will take recourse to all legal measures to ensure that this menace is not only curbed but eliminated. It will not hesitate to order detailed investigation by any agency of the Government depending upon the gravity of the charges and allegations. Persons having specific information regarding malpractices should come forward with such information and they shall be provided adequate protection as required.

(Placed in Library. See No. LT 1651/2000) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Hon. Members, Sarvashri Kamal Nath, Kirit Sommaiya, Vilas Muttamwar, Shrimati Shyama Singh, Sarvashri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Ajoy Chakraborty and Vijay Goel Members of this House have given notices of their intention to call the attention of the Minister to the situation arising out of the alleged reports of match fixing racket involving South African players and Indian businessmen.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI KIRTI JHA AZAD (DARBHANGA): Sir, I have also given a notice on the same subject.… (Interruptions)

SHRI MADHAVRAO SCINDIA : Yes, that is why I associated myself with your remarks. Every cricketer cannot be treated with suspicion.

Let the principle be understood that the innocent has nothing to fear, but the guilty will surely be brought to book. That is the principle that has to be established.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Sir, the Delhi Police’s tape disclosures have provoked the entire world to find out what is happening now and what has happened in the past. With all responsibility at my command, I would like to submit that there are two aspects to it. One is gambling and fixing matches outside the law of the game and the other is functioning of the body itself. In India, fan-following for cricket is too much and a lot of money is involved in this sport. The cricketing profession has reached a level beyond anybody’s imagination.