Galle Marvel owner granted bail with imposed travel ban
The Colombo Chief Magistrate on Friday granted bail to Prem Thakkar, the owner of Galle Marvels, one of the six franchises competed in the ended Lanka T10 Super League, after being arrested over match-fixing allegations. Thakkar, an Indian national, was released with a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each.
Further, the Colombo Chief Magistrate, Thilina Gamage issued a travel ban on the suspect and his passport was impounded. The bail was granted after the court considered an appeal presented by Kalinga Indatissa PC, who appeared on behalf of the suspect.
Following his arrest on December 12, Thakkar gave a statement to officers of the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, under Civil Procedure Code 127 the following day to the court. After explaining the possibility of using the statement as an evidence against the suspect, Thakkar presented the one-hour long confidential statement inside the chamber of the Chief Magistrate last Wednesday.
Senior State Counsel Udara Karunaratne, who represented the plaintiff with the police, explained to the courts to make an assessment on the bailors. He further requested the court to present the statement made by the suspect to the Attorney General’s office. Chief Magistrate Gamage ordered the suspect to present himself every Wednesday to the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit, and ordered the release of a copy of the statement made by the suspect to the Attorney General’s office. Sub Inspector Sanjeewa represented the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit. The case will be heard again on January 27, 2025.
Thakkar’s arrest was initiated after West Indies international Andre Fletcher filed a formal complaint, accusing him of offering match-fixing deals. Fletcher alleged that Thakkar offered him USD 15,000 to deliberately lose a match and USD 30,000 to allow a ‘nominated bowler’ to participate under questionable circumstances.
Additionally, Fletcher claimed that he was offered the captaincy of Galle Marvels as part of the deal. Sri Lanka became the first country to criminalise corruption in sports, but has seen a rise in match-fixing controversies in recent years.