In a major breakthrough in the Karnataka Premier League match-fixing scandal, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested an international bookie, named Sayyam. The international bookie was arrested in the case of match-fixing by the celebrity drummer Bhavesh Bafna. Bafna is already in judicial custody. Sayyam, who is a resident of Haryana, had a lookout circular (LOC) issued against him as he was absconding from the law agencies and also allegedly hiding in the West Indies. Earlier this month, two players from the Bellary Tuskers team, captain CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi had been arrested for the alleged association in the KPL match-fixing scandal.

The two are accused of match-fixing in the KPL finals which were played between Bellary Tuskers and Hubli Tigers on August 31 as per the CCB. However, they were allegedly paid Rs 20 lakhs for slow batting in the finals, and they also fixed another match which they played against the Bengaluru team in the KPL.

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The former India-A player, CM Gautam has played Ranji from Karnataka and recently shifted his base to Goa and has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) representing Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore as well. Kazi had also played for the Karnataka state team before transferring to another state. Earlier, cricketer Nishanth Singh Shekhawat was also arrested by the Karnataka police for the KPL spot-fixing case.

Shekhawat was accused of fixing a KPL match in 2018 between Bangalore and Belgavi team, in which he allegedly played slow and also received Rs 5 lakhs for the wrong-doing. The police in between this had also arrested Belgavi Panthers team’s owner Ali, Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach Vinu Prasad and batsman Vishwanathan as well.