CBI sets up sports integrated unit to probe fraud, betting

The CBI has set up a dedicated “Sport Integrity Unit” to look into cases of fraud, including betting, in any sporting event.

“The objectives of this unit include investigating and inquiring into matters related to sports fraud, combating malpractices in sports and coordinating with sports federations and law enforcement agencies,” said CBI Director Ranjit Sinha on Tuesday.

The CBI had held discussions with International Cricket Council and Federation Internationale de Football Association officials before setting up the unit. Currently, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Australian Federal Police and certain European countries have such units.

Sinha said the CBI would also be actively engaging with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports so that a law to deal with corruption in sports is put in place at the earliest.

“This (law) would make India one of the very few nations in the world to have a dedicated unit set up as a part of its federal investigative agency to investigate sports fraud,” he said, addressing the 15th D P Kohli Memorial Lecture, organised by the CBI.

“In the years to come, we shall further strengthen the unit and hope to make a substantial contribution in the fight against malpractices in sports.

We look forward to support and cooperation from all stakeholders in making this initiative a success,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Sinha also said it has always been an endeavour of the CBI to understand new areas of crime and reinvent itself to meet emerging challenges. “The CBI has now taken note of growing incidents of corrupt practices in sports, with its deep links to the underworld and transnational organised crime networks,” said Sinha.