The BCCI has issued a formal warning to IPL franchises about the risks of “honey-trapping” and other forms of targeted compromise in high-profile sporting settings. In a message sent to team management, the BCCI secretary also highlighted that certain situations could escalate into serious legal allegations, including matters related to sexual misconduct, and urged franchises to stay alert and proactive.
Devajit Saikia, in a seven-page set of guidelines circulated to franchises on Thursday evening, stressed that the league’s visibility makes such threats a real concern. “The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia said.
The guidelines also spell out tighter controls around access to players and support staff during IPL stays. Saikia said that unauthorised outsiders would not be allowed into IPL team members’ hotel rooms without prior awareness and approval from the team manager.
Key access and guest-control rules outlined by the BCCI
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No individual—regardless of who they are, their relationship to a player, or the reason they claim—may enter a player’s or support staff member’s hotel room without the team manager’s prior knowledge and explicit written approval.
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Guests and visitors must be handled only in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or the reception lounge.
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Visitors must not be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the team manager has specifically authorised the arrangement in writing.
The BCCI document is expected to be followed by further instructions, with more details reportedly set to come later.
