Bangalore: As match-fixing rocked Karnataka Premier League, the state cricket association on Thursday announced the suspension of Belagavi Panthers franchise, whose owner Ali Ashfaq Thara is among the six people arrested so far in connection with the scandal. The announcement came on a day when C M Gautam, a first- class player who turned up for three IPL teams, and his former Karnataka teammate Abrar Qazi of Bellary Tuskers were arrested for allegedly accepting money to spot-fix matches in the KPL.

So far six people have been arrested over the scandal that came to light with the arrest of Thara recently. "Based on the initial investigation report, the KSCA has suspended the owners of franchise - Belagavi Panthers, oneof the franchise of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL). Incase they are found guilty, their franchise will be terminated," the Karnataka Cricket Association said in a statement here.