Bengal film celebs disgusted at IPL spot fixing

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scam gets messier with links to film personalities becoming public, West Bengal's celluloid celebs Friday expressed disgust at the scandal, calling it a "big crime" and "not acceptable at all." But there were also calls for legalising betting.

Music director Jeet Ganguly of "Aashiqui 2" fame said, "spot fixing is a big crime. It is like hurting the cricket fans who really love cricket and watch IPL."

Actress Rituparna Sengupta felt disgusted at the association of the sports platform with the betting catastrophe.

"Spot fixing scandals associated with IPL is disgusting. It is not acceptable at all," Sengupta told IANS.

Delhi Police arrested Rajasthan Royals cricketers Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan and 11 bookies in a post-midnight operation in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad May 16, exposing the spot fixing scam.

Actor Vindu Dara Singh of Bollywood was arrested Tuesday for his connections with betting.

The Bengal film industry is also now under the scanner after the arrest of a film producer - Ajit Surekha - for being an alleged bookie.

Surekha and nine of his associates were nabbed Wednesday night from their hideout in the Ultadanga area of north Kolkata during a joint operation by police's special task force and detective department.

While probe was on regarding their involvement in the ongoing IPL spot fixing controversy, initial investigation has revealed they bet on a match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

Director Kaushik Ganguly called for gambling to be legalised, as he felt IPL provides opportunities to gambling enthusiasts.

"I love watching IPL and in my busy schedule I try to watch IPL. And I personally feel that IPL matches are meant for gambling. This gambling must be made legal. If cheer leaders can dance with short dresses, why can't gambling be done in the open playground?" he said.

Bengali film Superstar Prosenjit, however, shied away from commenting on the issue.

"I will not say anything on IPL," said Prosenjit.

-- Indo Asian News Service

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