India steps up tax probe into IPL corruption claims

IPL boss Lalit Modi is under pressure

Indian tax officials have widened their investigation into alleged corruption in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Tax officers raided at least four teams in the cricket tournament hours before the first semi-final began.

The offices of three companies with the rights to broadcast the hugely popular league's matches were also searched.

Security was tight around the stadium in Mumbai (Bombay) which is hosting the semi-finals after they were moved following weekend blasts in Bangalore.

Mumbai Indians, led by Sachin Tendulkar, were due to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by Anil Kumble, in Wednesday's match.

Resignation

The Indian Premier League (IPL) features some of the world's top cricketers.

The IPL is the world's richest cricket tournament

But correspondents say action off the field and the swirling allegations of sleaze, illegal betting and money laundering have been gripping the nation in recent days.

On Wednesday, tax officials searched the offices of IPL franchisees Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers in Delhi and Kings XI in Chandigarh.

Earlier in the week officials visited the headquarters of the IPL in Mumbai.

The allegations were sparked off by a row between the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and a government minister, Shashi Tharoor, over the ownership of a new IPL franchise.

Mr Tharoor was forced to resign after Mr Modi revealed that a close female friend of the minister was one of the stakeholders of the new team.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says this has led to top-to-bottom scrutiny of the cash-rich tournament with suggestions that more heads could roll.

Media reports suggest there are plans to force Lalit Modi from office.

Both he and Mr Tharoor deny any wrong-doing.

'All precautions'

Police said at least 3,000 security personnel would ring the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai and every spectator would be checked.

"We have taken all precautions and every single spectator will be frisked before entering the stadium," Mumbai police chief AN Roy told the BBC.

Police say they are not leaving anything to chance

At least 60 metal detectors have been installed and closed-circuit cameras will keep an eye on every corner of the stadium, police say.

The stadium will host semi-final matches on Wednesday and Thursday, before the third place play-off on Saturday and the final on Sunday.

The venue was switched after two small bombs went off outside Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium before last Saturday's IPL game between Bangalore Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians.

A third device was defused on Sunday.

All three devices were hidden in the stadium's perimeter wall and the two explosions injured 15 people.

The IPL has become a multi-billion dollar industry, which attracts some of India's wealthiest businessmen and women.

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