Ritesh Tiwari Questions CAB’s Felicitation of Suspended Cricketers, Seeks Government Intervention

Kolkata: BJP MLA from Kashipur-Belgachhia, Ritesh Tiwari, has raised questions over the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) decision to felicitate some cricketers despite their suspension by the BCCI and CAB over alleged irregularities.

Tiwari questioned why the issue of age-related discrepancies was not investigated earlier and sought clarity on the action taken against those who allegedly issued certificates used by players to establish incorrect age records.

CAB Secretary Bablu Koley has reportedly said that Aadhaar updates have revealed age discrepancies involving more than 500 cricketers, while over 60 players have already been suspended.

Tiwari asked why the association had not acted earlier and whether officials responsible for issuing the disputed certificates had been held accountable. He argued that the scale of the issue warrants government intervention and a comprehensive investigation to establish responsibility and protect the integrity of Bengal cricket.

Tiwari, a BJP leader, was elected from Kashipur-Belgachhia in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.cent verification exercise uncovered significant discrepancies through Aadhaar update histories and digital birth certificates. Reports indicate that around 4,000 players were scrutinised, with 62 cricketers declared ineligible for registration or transfer during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

The developments have raised questions over why such discrepancies were not detected earlier and whether adequate scrutiny was carried out when the players originally registered. Questions are also being raised over the role of those who issued or authenticated documents allegedly used to establish incorrect age records.

The issue has prompted calls for a thorough investigation and possible government intervention, particularly to establish accountability across the entire documentation chain.