Return of the Sporting Fraud Bill

In the wake of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal, media reports claim the proposed ‘Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill’ on Wednesday returned to the table of Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. 

This Bill was drafted by former chief justice Mukul Mudgal after the spot-fixing scam rocked the 2013 IPL season. 

Once passed by Parliament, the legislation will provide for any sportsperson or official committing fraud while competing to be jailed for up to five years. There clould also be a provision of a fine amounting to five times the amount gained through fraud, with the minimum amount being ~10 lakh, according to a Times of India report. 

A DNA report quotes sources as saying that the law ministry has sent back the draft Bill after making some “amendments” that will ensure every National Sports Association (NSF) in India, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will come under the ambit of this proposed law.

The Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill is a revamped version of the Prevention of Dishonesty in Sports Bill of 2001. That Bill was drafted after the Central Bureau of Investigation found some cricketers involved in the match-fixing case of 2000 had escaped penal punishment in the absence of a suitable law. 

The new Bill ensures the identity and details of people reporting instances of match-fixing of spot-fixing will be kept confidential. Those contravening this rule will be liable for a month’s imprisonment or fine. 

Recently, the Supreme Court-appointed

 

committee spelt out disciplinary action against two IPL teams. But criminal action can be taken only by the trial court formed for the purpose.

The Bill will likely have provisions for all NSFs to draft their own ‘codes of conduct’ according to which their players, match officials and office bearers will be judged.

Though the details of the Bill are not fully known, DNA reported that there were various categories of frauds being defined in the draft. From deriving economic benefit to manipulating results, spot-fixing and wilfully underperforming for monetary or other benefits are some actions that would attract severe punishment under the proposed Bill.

The sharing of insider information also attracted jail term while a fine up to 10 times of monetary gained was apparently suggested in the Bill, the DNA report said. Above all, in cases where the crime is found to have been committed by any NSF, every “responsible” official of that organisation will deem to be deemed guilty of the crime.

Once Sonowal signs the Bill, it could likely be tabled in Parliament’s winter session.