Govt committed to bring anti-fixing law: Kapil Sibal

The new law will apply not only to cricket but all kinds of sports

Union law Minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday said that a new law will soon be brought to tackle all kinds of unfair practices in sports. 

 

Addressing a press conference here, Sibal said that the government is committed to bring a new law as soon as possible.
 

“Attorney General advocates new law to deal with unfair practices like match fixing and spot fixing,” the law minister added.

 

The law minister further said, "The government has decided to enact a stand-alone legislation to deal with unfair practices in sports and the law would be as broad as possible to deal with all unfair practices."

"The first draft of the new law will be ready in three to four days," he said, adding it will then be sent to the Sports Ministry for further consultations and opinions of experts.

 

Thew new law will be as broadbased as possible and cover not only cricket but all kinds of sports. However, it will not have retrospective effect.

 

In the fresh legislation, there will be a definition of "dishonest practices" and will include any gesture or act which can change the course or outcome of a match or a tournament.

 

It will deal with corporates, bookies, criminals besides the players, including international players, he said.

 

Expressing confidence about the early enactment of the new law, Sibal said the Opposition is on board.

 

In this context, he mentioned that Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley met him on Friday and favoured such a law, saying states would not be able to check such activities which have national and international dimensions.

(PTI also contributed to this story)