BCCI issues honey-trap warning to IPL teams, lays strict rules over hotel room access

Published - 08 May 2026, 10:12 IST | Updated - 08 May 2026, 10:19 IST

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to all the franchises taking part in the Indian Premier League about the potential risks of targeted honey-trapping during the course of the tournament. The board, through its secretary Devajit Saikia, has also intimated to the teams that it could lead to serious allegations against the players and other officials, including those of sexual misconduct, among others.

The BCCI has made it clear that there should not be a violation of the guidelines that have been recently issued to all the team members, including but not limited to players and support staff. As part of this protocol, team members will not be allowed to have outsiders in their hotel rooms without prior intimation and due approval of the respective team's manager.

"The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times," Saikia was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Saikia said that he has also taken into account the instances where players and match officials were seen leaving their team hotels without any intimation to the concerned security officers. The BCCI finds it a breach of basic security protocols of the IPL.

"Instances have been noted of players and support staff leaving team hotels at irregular hours without informing the designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integrity Officer (TIOs). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and expose individuals to risks that cannot be mitigated if the relevant personnel are uninformed," Saikia noted.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was caught vaping openly inside the dressing room, and the visuals were telecast live. Since vaping is an illegal activity in India, the board has communicated that it is not only leading to violation of the guidelines of the tournament but is also amounting to committing a cognisable offence.

"Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI's attention. It is pertinent to note that the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.

"Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities. Furthermore, the team management must ensure that all players and support staff are unequivocally informed of this prohibition and that no such substances are permitted within any team premises during the tournament."

"It has been brought to notice that certain team members have demonstrated reluctance in presenting their accreditation cards for verification when requested by authorised security personnel. This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of basic event security protocol," the BCCI secretary said on account of players not showing their IPL accreditation cards.

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The BCCI holds the Team Manager and/or the authorised person from the Franchise jointly and severally responsible for ensuring full compliance with the directives contained in this Advisory. Team Managers are specifically directed to: