A big news has come out amidst IPL 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman Justice (Retired) Arun Mishra has banned former co-owner of Mumbai T20 League franchise Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah.
BCCI Imposed Ban: A big news has come out amidst IPL 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman Justice (Retired) Arun Mishra has banned former co-owner of the Mumbai T20 League franchise Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah. This action has been taken against him for contacting city players Dhawal Kulkarni and Bhavin Thakkar for fixing during the 2019 phase of the tournament.
There could also be a lifetime ban
Medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni has also represented India in 12 ODIs and a few T20 Internationals. Bhamrah was also associated with the now defunct GT20 Canada and is no longer a part of the Mumbai T20 League, which is being resumed this year after its suspension due to Covid after the 2019 phase. He was the co-owner of SoBo Supersonics. The ban period is not given in the copy of the order but according to the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Code (ACU), it can be anything from 5 years to a lifetime ban.
BCCI took action
According to the BCCI's ACU Code, 'Upon completion of the investigation, the ACU submitted its report in which it recommended that the Respondent be charged under Articles 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.4.1 along with Article 2.5.1 for Participants and Article 2.5.2 of the BCCI ACU Code.' It said, 'The ACU further recommended that appropriate orders may be passed against the Respondent under the provisions of Article 4 and Article 5 of the Code.' According to the BCCI's ACU Code, any offence under Article 2.1.1 or 2.1.2 or 2.1.3 or 2.1.4 will attract a minimum ban of 5 years and maximum of life.
Contacted for match fixing
The copy of the order states that a person named Sonu Vasan contacted Thakkar to fix the match at the behest of Bhamrah. The players called Bhamrah 'Paaji'. According to it, 'The transcript of the conversation shows that Sonu Vasan offered money and other benefits to Bhavin Thakkar on behalf of the respondent. Justifying the entire offer made by the respondent, Sonu Vasan told Bhavin Thakkar that whatever decision he wants to take in this matter, Vasan will inform the respondent.' Regarding the contact made with Kulkarni, the order only states that his 'statement was recorded by the ACU'.
