Terming spot fixing as a major fraud, former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar’s party NCP on Friday demanded stringent legislation providing up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to anyone indulging in such acts. It also wants the property earned by players indulging in spot fixing to be seized by the Government.
The party is against putting a ban on Indian Premier league and bringing the BCCI under ambit of RTI for greater transparency in its functioning.
NCP general secretary DP Tripathi said there is no law to check the menace of spot fixing which is leading to criminalisation of cricket. Pointing out that cricketers are treated like demigods and represent the country, he said if they indulge in spot-fixing like Sreesanth, stringent punishment must be given.
There had been no legislation to tackle hijacking, but once such incidents happened, a law was enacted, noted the party. Similarly, a law is needed for checking fixing. Any cricketer who earns money by befooling and duping people should be punished with 10 years rigorous imprisonment and property earned through such fraudulent and unfair means must also be seized.
Asked about demand for IPl ban, Tripathi said that it was not justified. Instead irregularities should be checked and rule of law, public morality be enforced keeping in view of sensitivities of cricket fans. He was said that there was no need to bring BCCI under RTI as Board was not receiving funds from Government. When pointed out that BCCI was receiving tax concessions, he said that many trusts and NGOs also receive tax rebate but are not covered under RTI.
He defended Pawar, who was BCCI president in past. Tripathi said that during his tenure no such illegal acts were done and present heads should learn from Pawar’s handling of cricket body.