The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the “actual beneficiary” of the Rs 425 crore facilitation fee paid for award of 10-year media rights for the IPL cricket matches to World Sports Group in 2009.
The government, in an Action Taken report to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, said the award of media rights by the BCCI to the World Sports Group and also the allegation of payment of facilitation fee by Multi Screen Media Singapore of Rs 425 crore are being investigated.
“Investigation is being carried out (by Enforcement Directorate) to identify the actual beneficiary of the facilitation fee,” the report tabled in Parliament said.
The money was paid to World Sports Group (WSG), Mauritius, under a deed for provision of facilitation services dated March 25, 2009.
BCCI, in 2008, awarded the 10—year media rights to WSG on payment of USD 918 million. In the same year WSG also entered into a deal with Multi Screen Media to make Sony the official broadcaster. The contract was replaced a year later with a nine—year deal where Multi Screen paid USD 1.63 billion.
“Investigation is being conducted in respect of award of media rights by the BCCI to WSG and the allegation of payment of facilitation fee by Multi Screen Media Singapore (Pte) Ltd for an amount equivalent to Rs 425 crore to WSG Mauritius,” the report said.
