In a tough action against match-fixing, BCCI Ombudsman Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra has imposed a ban on the former co-owner of a Mumbai T20 League franchise. He was found guilty of making a corrupt approach to Mumbai cricketers Dhawal Kulkarni and Bhavin Thakkar during the 2019 edition of the league.
Global T20 Canada league
The ex co-owner also had ties with the Global T20 Canada league and is no longer associated with the Mumbai T20 League. The league is being revived this year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the official order does not mention the exact duration of the ban, it is likely to range between five years and a lifetime suspension, based on the BCCI’s anti-corruption code.
As for Kulkarni, a former India cricketer who retired after winning the Ranji Trophy with Mumbai in March 2024, the order mentions that his statement was recorded by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), but does not disclose further details.
What does the official notice say?
“Upon completion of investigation, ACU submitted its report and wherein it recommended that respondent be charged with article 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.4.1 read with article 2.5.1 and article 2.5.2 of BCCI Anti Corruption Code (hereinafter the ‘Code’) for participants. ACU further recommended that appropriate orders may be passed against the respondent under the provisions of Article 4 and Article 5 of the Code,” the official order read.