Born in India · Nationality Indian — Cricket / taxation / parliamentary office / sporting governance / offshore assets

Sachin Tendulkar

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2001: Mike Denness sanction for "acting on the ball", initially described as ball-tampering but later reclassified by ICC” and “2002–2004: gifted Ferrari, disputed customs exemption followed by Fiat paying duty and PIL dismissal”.

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Profile No. 1950 · Updated on 12 October 2026

7Documented controversies

12Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

October 2021–February 2024

2021–2024: Pandora Papers, BVI company described as legitimate and ongoing Enforcement Directorate FEMA inquiry

Investigation

The Pandora Papers identified Tendulkar, his wife and his father-in-law as beneficial owners of Saas International Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company liquidated in 2016. His representative stated that the investments had been made lawfully through authorised banking channels and declared to the tax authorities.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 3

[1]
The Indian Express / ICIJ investigationSachin Tendulkar, wife, her father, had BVI company, wound up after Panama exposeInvestigative journalismHigh reliability
[2]
ICIJ5 ways celebrities in the Pandora Papers use the offshore systemHigh reliability
[3]
The Indian ExpressSearches, summons, detection of violations: ED's Pandora probe touches Indian owners of offshore firmsInvestigative journalismHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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April–27 May 2019

2019: BCCI conflict-of-interest complaint concerning CAC and Mumbai Indians roles, ultimately dismissed as moot

Allegations

The BCCI ombudsman/ethics officer examined a complaint alleging incompatibility between Tendulkar's participation in the Cricket Advisory Committee and his role associated with Mumbai Indians.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Direct responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
The Indian Express / PTIBCCI ethics officer dismisses conflict of interest charge against Sachin TendulkarPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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April 2012–April 2018

2012–2018: low Rajya Sabha attendance and public calls for resignation

No legal proceedings

During his term as a nominated Rajya Sabha member, Tendulkar was repeatedly criticised for extremely low attendance. By 2014, he had attended only three sitting days since his appointment; in 2017, official data continued to show one of the lowest attendance records.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian Express / PTISachin Tendulkar, Rekha come under fire for absence in Rajya SabhaPressHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressAmid questions on his attendance, Sachin Tendulkar attends Rajya SabhaPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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20 May 2011

2011: tax controversy over "artist" classification for advertising income — victory before tax tribunal

Civil / administrative proceedings

Tax authorities had challenged a deduction on foreign currency earnings from advertising and modelling, arguing that Tendulkar was not an actor or artist for those purposes. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled in his favour.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal / CaseMineSachin R. Tendulkar v. Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Range 193Court decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2007

2007: cake depicting Indian flag and reported court complaint

Allegations

At a reception in Jamaica before the World Cup, Tendulkar cut a cake depicting the Indian flag, prompting criticism and a reported case filed before an Indore court concerning respect for national symbols.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Indian ExpressSachin Tendulkar and controversies around him in the pastPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2002–15 March 2004

2002–2004: gifted Ferrari, disputed customs exemption followed by Fiat paying duty and PIL dismissal

Civil / administrative proceedings

A Ferrari gifted to Tendulkar following his record number of centuries had benefited from a customs duty exemption, a decision widely criticised and legally challenged. Fiat India ultimately paid the duty on his behalf.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Guardian / ReutersInquiry over cricketer's FerrariNews agencyHigh reliability
[2]
Times of India / PTIPIL on Sachin's Ferrari dismissed by SCNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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November 2001

2001: Mike Denness sanction for "acting on the ball", initially described as ball-tampering but later reclassified by ICC

Civil / administrative proceedings

Tendulkar was fined 75% of his match fee and given a suspended one-match ban after match referee Mike Denness sanctioned him for his handling of the ball at Port Elizabeth. The affair sparked a crisis between the BCCI and ICC.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianTendulkar not guilty of ball-tampering, say ICCPressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianTendulkar's ban stands as Calcutta protestsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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