ED Cracks Down on Illegal IPL Streamers

Two individuals, Chirag Shah and Chintan Shah, have been remanded in custody by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case involving unauthorized IPL live-streaming and betting via the website 'Fairplay'. The case faces hurdles due to legal technicalities involving the quashing of related charges.

In a major crackdown on unauthorized online activities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken Chirag Shah and Chintan Shah into custody. The duo is accused of handling the technological operations of the Fairplay website, which streamed IPL matches illicitly and facilitated illegal betting.

The arrests come in the backdrop of a quashed First Information Report by the Bombay High Court, complicating the case due to the requirement of a predicate offence for pursuing money laundering charges under PMLA guidelines. Despite legal challenges, the court granted ED custody till February 15.

Fairplay has been accused of operating without appropriate registration or legal standing in India, reportedly causing a revenue loss of over Rs 100 crore to Viacom18 Media Pvt Limited. The investigation highlights the involvement of Krish Laxmichand Shah and the international web of companies supporting these activities.