BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has circulated a formal advisory to all 10 IPL franchises, flagging fears of “honey-trap” type incidents during the 2026 season. The board says it is tightening controls to reduce the risk of serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, being levelled against players or officials involved in the T20 tournament.
In the communication, Saikia stressed that franchises must stay alert to attempts at targeted compromise that can arise in high-profile sporting settings. He noted that incidents could potentially trigger legal proceedings under relevant laws related to sexual misconduct, and urged franchise leadership to act proactively to limit such dangers. The guidance, described as a seven-page set of instructions, was issued on Thursday.
A dedicated task force has also been formed, drawing members from the BCCI and the IPL Operations department. The group’s role will include conducting checks in players’ hotel rooms, and Saikia indicated that any instance of unauthorised entry would be met with strict disciplinary measures, with consequences already outlined in the advisory.
The statement further said that the BCCI and the IPL Operations team may carry out periodic reviews to confirm adherence to the directive. It also made clear that team managers must keep records covering all approved guest arrivals and hotel-related movements.
Franchises have been told that any breach of the instructions must be reported immediately to the IPL Operations team or the relevant IPL venue team. The BCCI expressed confidence that every franchise will treat the advisory with the seriousness it deserves and take steps to safeguard the IPL’s integrity and reputation.
As per the directive, Saikia underlined that outsiders will not be permitted to enter the rooms of IPL team players without the prior knowledge and approval of the team manager—no matter the outsider’s relationship with the individual.
Players and support staff are also required to seek clearance from the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) and/or the Team Integrity Officer (TIO) before leaving the team hotel at any time. Any scheduled travel outside the hotel—for personal, leisure, or other reasons—must be communicated in advance to both the team manager and the SLO.
Saikia wrote that the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council want it made unmistakably clear that any violation of the advisory will be handled as a serious disciplinary issue. He added that failure to comply could expose the franchise and the concerned individual to action under the relevant IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules and Regulations, and other applicable legal provisions depending on the circumstances.
He also noted that, without limiting the above, penalties could be imposed at the sole discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council. Potential outcomes mentioned include show-cause notices, monetary fines, suspension, or disqualification.
The advisory states that franchises are strongly encouraged to fully take note of the instructions and ensure complete compliance. It also says the BCCI retains the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to verify that the directives are being followed.
In addition, the BCCI warned owners of IPL franchises against communicating with players or team staff from the dugout during matches.
