Anurag Thakur proposes a jail term of 10 years for match fixing

The former chief of the BCCI Anurag Thakur has proposed a jail term of 10 years for fixing the outcome of the match. All the sports are being marred by the allegations of fixing and the incidents have increased in the past few years. However, Thakur is set to table the bill regarding the punishment in the winter session of Parliament which is due to start in the next few days. Also, the fine of five times the amount involved along with the jail term will be proposed.

The regulatory body for sports federation should be formed which will check for such frauds and investigate the matter. According to the bill comprises of six members which would include four retired judges of either the Supreme Court or a high court and they will be appointed after consulting with the Chief Justice of India.

What does the bill say?

Anurag Thakur explained the bill which also includes strict punishment and fines for different frauds committed by both coaches and players. He said, “All sports federations would report to the proposed National Sports Ethics Commission in matters related to doping, match-fixing, fraud of age, sexual harassment of women and other unethical practices in sports.”

“Any person found guilty of match fixing shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years and or with a fine which shall be five times the amount involved in the match fixing,” the bill stated according to DNA India. Thakur also believed that there is nothing in any of the Indian laws which brings match fixing and other such offences under specific criminal law.

The bill also proposes the commission to take Suo moto cognisance of any kind of a fraud in any of the sports and summon the people associated with it which could also include federation members. It would be interesting to see if the bill is passed in the Parliament and if it happens, it will surely keep the sports away from fixing.