Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Apr 22: In a crackdown on illegal cricket betting, Goa Police on Tuesday arrested three bookies from Madhya Pradesh for allegedly accepting online bets on an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans.
The accused Ankit Rathore (34) from Bhopal, and Badal (32) and Ajay (32), both from Sagar were nabbed during a late-night raid at a flat in Arsh’s Nest, Baga-Calangute, between 12:35 am and 2:45 am.
Acting on a tip-off, the Calangute Police team seized a laptop and seven mobile phones valued at Rs 1.10 lac from the spot. A case has been registered against the trio under sections 3 and 4 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act.
Police sources said the arrested men were operating an online betting syndicate. "We are tracing the larger network behind this racket," said an official, adding that investigations are being carried out under the supervision of SP North, Akshat Kaushal, with Inspector Paresh Naik and SDPO Vishwesh Karpe leading the probe.
This bust follows a similar raid by the Crime Branch on April 4 in Porvorim, where three individuals from Telangana Tigulla Shrinivas (39), Gaddala Kiran Kumar (37), and Annathapuram Shravankumar Chary (36) were arrested for accepting bets on another IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. In that case, gadgets worth Rs 1.80 lac were seized.
Police say the recent arrests indicate an active inter-state network targeting the ongoing T20 league for illegal gains.