On May 22, 2023, the ICC (International Cricket Council) charged Bhatinda-based umpire Jatin Kashyap with two offenses of violating the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Kashyap, who had not officiated for four years, was suddenly prohibited after an investigation into “international matches in 2022.” A source has recently disclosed the inside details of what transpired on the field that led to the umpire’s suspension.
Kashyap reportedly stated that he knew the player and simply wished to assist him. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Anti-Corruption Unit was unconvinced by his explanation and has asked the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) to bar him from all cricket-related activities. Kashyap officiated matches at the district level in Punjab, but he is not on the BCCI council.
“According to Jatin Kashyap, he is familiar with the player who participated in international competitions in Dubai in 2022.
Given his familiarity with the player, he advised him to bat first if his team wins the toss in one of these matches. The New Indian Express quoted a source as saying, “He claimed there was no ulterior motive and that he only wanted to help the cricketer by sharing his knowledge.”
However, the participant informed the ICC’s anti-corruption unit of the message.
“According to Kashyap, the player met him once, and since then we have been acquainted. As the player does not have Kashyap’s phone number recorded in his address book, he became suspicious when he received a message from an unknown number. He promptly notified the International Criminal Court, which launched an investigation,” the source added.
Kashyap was twice requested to appear before ICC investigators in Delhi, but he failed to do so. Following this, he was charged with violating Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 for refusing and prolonging the Anti-Corruption Unit’s (ACU) investigation.
He may be asserting his innocence.
The source added that Kashyap could be innocent, but could also be a conduit for information between a bookie and participants.
“It is impossible to know what his intent was. He could be asserting innocence, but he could also be a conduit between bookies and suspects, which is why the ICC and BCCI took action,” the source added.
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