KATHMANDU, Nov 18: Police have arrested two individuals for allegedly attempting to manipulate matches in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) by offering financial incentives to participating players.
The suspects have been identified as Dilprit Singh (28) of Panipat, Haryana, India, and Revika Singh Thakuri (24), originally from Barbardiya-8, Bardiya, and currently residing in Chandigarh, India.
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According to Superintendent of Police Kaji Kumar Acharya of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the duo initially contacted NPL players through social media platforms under the pretext of sponsoring them. Believing the offer to be legitimate, some players agreed to meet them in person.
“After a few rounds of conversation, the suspects would eventually propose fixing certain bowling or batting moments during the match,” SP Acharya told Republica.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) notified the police after players reported the suspicious offers. Acting on the information, investigators tracked the suspects to Lazimpat, Ward 2 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, where they were arrested on Tuesday.
“We are examining possible links to larger cross-border betting or match-fixing rackets. Any anomaly will be thoroughly scrutinized to prevent such illegal activities,” Acharya said.
Nepal Police has deployed liaison officers with each NPL team and placed plainclothes personnel among spectators to monitor any suspicious behavior. “We are keeping a close watch to ensure no betting agents or fixers operate within the tournament environment,” SP Acharya added.
