Lanka T10 match-fixing scandal: Indian team owner granted bail

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo, Dec 20 (Daily Mirror) - The Colombo Chief Magistrate granted bail to Indian national Prem Thakur, the owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League Tournament, on heavy bail conditions.

Thakur was in remand custody over allegations of match-fixing during the Lanka T10 cricket tournament in Kandy’s Pallekele Stadium and was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage today and was granted bail on a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 with two sureties of Rs. 50 million on each.

The suspect was ordered to appear before the Police Sports Corruption Unit every Wednesday.

His passport was impounded and he was ordered to surrender before court by Colombo Chief Magistrate Tilina Gamage.

During the hearing of the case, Kalinga Indatissa PC, appearing with a team of lawyers pleaded to grant bail to the suspect as a major part of the Police investigations had been already concluded.

Senior State Counsel Udara Karunatilaka, appearing for the prosecution, asserted that certain vital issues over the incident had still to be investigated and requested that the court issue a suitable order restraining the suspect from leaving Sri Lanka.

The Magistrate released the suspect on bail and put off further inquiry for January 27, 2025.