J&K Police register case after collapse of IHPL cricket league

Srinagar : J&K Police has registered a case after a private T20 league, called Indian Heaven’s Premier League (IHPL) which also featured Chris Gayle and several international players, collapsed with organisers allegedly leaving the city and going incommunicado.
The FIR was registered in Police station Raj Bagh under section 316(2) and 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a police officer said.
The IHPL, featuring eight teams, began in Bakshi stadium in Srinagar on October 25 and was slated to conclude on November 8.
However, on Saturday, players were abruptly informed that the day’s match had been cancelled due to “technical reasons.”
The next morning, players and officials were shocked when hotel staff told them that the organisers had allegedly left the city without clearing their bills.
The league was organised by a group called Yuva Society Mohali.
A complaint was lodged by players and support staff of the IHPL seeking police action against the tournament organisers Praminder Singh and Ashudhani— for fraud, cheating, breach of trust, and criminal negligence.
According to the complaint, the organisers invited national and international cricketers to participate in a so-called “officially approved” cricket league in Srinagar, promising contracts, payments, and full hospitality. However, after the event began, the organisers allegedly absconded from the hotel without paying bills or settling players’ dues, leaving around 50 players and staff stranded.
The complaint said the organisers have since switched off their phones and gone untraceable, leading players to believe they have misappropriated funds collected for the league. The players reported suffering mental distress, financial hardship, and public humiliation as a result.
J&K Sports Council distanced itself from the private T20 league saying they had no role in the event.
However, a government press release dated October 22 had said that the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir chaired a comprehensive meeting of officers from various departments “to take first hand appraisal of the preparations to set the stage ready for IHPL.”
The statement had said the first edition of T20 IHPL would feature international, national and local players.
“While reviewing the arrangements for the itinerary of the players, Div Com directed organisers to keep security agencies informed about the arrival, accommodation and movement of all players,” the release said.
“The meeting was informed that around 25,000 to 30,000 spectators are expected to watch the matches directly in the stadium,” it added.
Besides Chris Gayle, other international players who featured in the private league included Thisara Perera, Jesse Ryder and Deven Smith.