Need regulatory body to check corruption in cricket: Vigilance Commissioner

NEW DELHI: Amid allegations of spot-fixing and betting in IPL T-20 cricket tournaments, a member of country's top anti-corruption body today advocated a new regulatory framework to deal with corrupt practices in sports like cricket.

Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) R Srikumar said there was also a need for greater transparency, probity and corporate governance in sports administration bodies like the BCCI.

"Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) though charged with performing a public duty of regulating a popular game in the country has a monopolistic role.

It, therefore, needs to practice greater corporate governance and transparency," he told PTI.

There is a regulatory authority even in the case of share market, Srikumar said recommending a regulator for BCCI as large public interest is involved in the sport.

The definition of the word 'public servant' in the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, includes a person holding an office by virtue of which he is authorised or required to perform a public duty, he said.

An officer bearer of a registered society for cricket is also covered under sub clause XII of the PC Act, said Srikumar, a former IPS officer, suggesting the purview of PC Act and CVC's jurisdiction over the BCCI.

Any person who is an office-bearer or an employee of an educational, scientific, social, cultural or other institutions, in whatever manner established, receiving or having received any financial assistance from the Central Government or any State Government, or local or other public authority is covered under the sub clause.