UP T20 League Hit by Match-Fixing Scare Before Final, Police Register FIR After ACU Complaint
The UP T20 League, which has been running smoothly in Lucknow since August 17, has been jolted by a shocking match-fixing scare just days before its grand finale on September 6. Lucknow police have registered an FIR following a complaint from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), after a suspicious approach was reported to one of the participating teams.
According to reports, the controversy began on August 31 when Kashi Rudra’s team manager, Arjun Chauhan, received a direct message on Instagram from a user with the ID ‘vipss_nakrani’. The sender introduced himself as a “big-time bookie” and allegedly offered ₹1 crore to fix matches, along with a ₹50 lakh personal commission for Chauhan if he agreed to facilitate the deal.
Instead of accepting the proposal, Chauhan immediately alerted the BCCI’s ACU, who then devised a trap to collect evidence. ACU officials continued the conversation with the accused, who went on to share his WhatsApp number and promised instant payments in cash or US dollars. He also boasted that he and his associates would be physically present at the stadium to pay players immediately after the matches.
The ACU meticulously recorded all chats, calls, and digital evidence before handing the dossier to Lucknow police.
FIR Registered, Cyber Crime Cell Joins Probe
Lucknow Police have confirmed that an FIR has been filed against the suspect and his associates. DCP South Zone, Nipun Agarwal, revealed that the case has been registered under several sections, including cheating, organised crime, illegal betting, and cybercrime laws.
“We have registered a case against the unidentified suspect and his associates under BNS sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 112 (penalising organised crime), 62 (attempting to commit offences), section 3 of the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and Section 66D of the IT Act,” said Agarwal, as quoted by TOI.
The Cyber Crime Cell is now working on tracing the IP address of the accused and scanning his online contacts. Authorities believe that the man may be part of a larger syndicate with possible links to past betting scandals.
A Major Test for UP T20 League’s Integrity
The UP T20 League, conceptualised to promote cricketing talent in Uttar Pradesh, has seen enthusiastic crowds and competitive games since its launch. However, the fixing scare has raised serious questions about the vulnerability of domestic leagues to illegal betting syndicates.
Officials have tightened security and surveillance around teams and players, especially ahead of the much-anticipated final. The ACU has also reminded players and staff to remain vigilant and report any suspicious approaches immediately.
This is not the first time Indian domestic cricket has been targeted by fixers. Over the years, several state leagues have faced similar threats, and the BCCI has often warned about bookies exploiting smaller tournaments where oversight is comparatively weaker.
As investigations continue, cricket fans and stakeholders will hope that the UP T20 League concludes without further controversy, ensuring that the focus remains on the performances on the field rather than illegal activities off it.
