Bangladesh mull new anti-corruption law

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is mulling the introduction of an anti-corruption law with the help of the law ministry to combat ill practices in Bangladesh cricket. The board's move came after the Indian government announced it would formulate a new anti-corruption law against unfair practices, such as fixing, across sports in India.

"We need to see whether there is any need to implement new laws to combat sports crime," Jalal Yunus, chairman of BCB's media and communication, said in Mirpur. "We have to take tough measures to fight against this ill-practice and it requires new guidelines from the law ministry."

Three cricketers - Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan - were arrested for alleged spot-fixing on May 16 and Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly betting in the Indian Premier League, which prompted the Indian government to introduce a new law.

"The government of India has decided to enact a standalone legislation to deal with unfair practices in sport," India's Law Minister, Kapil Sibal, said in New Delhi. "The government is committed to bring this law as soon as possible."

Sibal said the new legislation would deal with dishonest practices like spot-fixing, which has been under the spotlight for nearly 10 days now. "We cannot let down millions of fans out there for whom cricket is a passion. But the new law will not apply to cricket alone. It will apply to all sports in which unfair practices are being used to change the outcome or course of a game."