ESL India Confirms Forsaken Cheated at Previous Event

ESL India confirmed Monday former OpTic India Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Nikhil "forsaken" Kumawat had previously cheated at the ESL India Premiership Finale, which took place Sept. 13-14.

An investigation conducted by ESL India into the hardware employed by forsaken at the previous CS:GO event revealed the same software he used to cheat at the eXTREMESLAND Asia Finals on Friday. That instance prompted not just OpTic India's disqualification from the tournament, but also the release of all five players from the roster by OpTic Gaming.

Based on the proof from Zowie eXTREMESLAND Asia Finals, we at ESL India are investigating all the 20 players in the #ESLIndiaPremiership Finale for any potential cheats on their drives. (1/3)

— ESL India (@ESL_India) 22 октября 2018 г.

ESL India has further opened an investigation into the hardware of all 20 players who competed at the ESL India Premiership, including players from Brutality, Slaughter Rage Army and the former OpTic India roster.

In a statement on Twitter, ESL India wrote that it had shared the evidence it had accumulated with the Esports Integrity Commission, and that the ESIC commissioner is currently conducting an independent inquiry of his own. The official verdict is forthcoming, though ESL India stated it had considered it a Level 4 offense under the ESIC's code of conduct.