How bookie Jalan ran the IPL cricket betting racket
THANE: After the arrest of three bookies from Dombivli by the Thane anti-extortion cell (AEC) on May 18, more skeletons have tumbled out of the closet and the names of many big bookies and celebrities have come up.
After the case was originally registered with the Dombivli police station, a few days later, three more bookies were arrested, including India’s top bookie Sonu Jalan, 42, which led to actor-producer Arbaaz Khan’s involvement. After Khan was questioned, two more Bollywood producers have been named.
While investigating, the police also seized a “line-holding machine from Jalan’s house in Malad, which used for betting, apart from a software Betntake.
An AEC officer said, “The machine has 24 volumes buttons and 21 mobile phones with earphones and a charger attached to it. Whenever a bookie calls, or is losing and winning, the punter used to drop a message or would call. There are buttons to to increase and decrease the volumes during multiple calls.”
While investigating, it was also found that Jalan and the accused arrested earlier had relations with dance bar girls to whom they gifted Rs2.5-crore flats in Mumbai, said an AEC officer.
VEHICLE PARTS SELLER TO BETTING KINGPIN
Sonu Jalan, an SSC failed student from Malad, used to sell automobile spare parts. He started betting almost 16 years ago. Some former police officers he knew helped him with few other bookies’ numbers. Sonu used to bet in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Dubai, Sri Lanka, etc. He came in contact with big bookies and later the policemen also shared Bollywood contacts who were also interested in betting.
“That’s how he came in contact with Arbaaz Khan five years ago,” said a Thane AEC officer.
As per the police, according to Jalan’s statement, the whole transaction was done over word of mouth.
“Khan and Jalan started betting on IPL matches. Khan was asked not to play by his then wife Malaika Arora. Khan’s losses and wins were maintained on a blackboard at Jalan’s home. When Khan came to know that Jalan was bragging by taking his name, he demanded the deal be finished off between them. It was then that Jalan told Khan that he had to pay ₹2.83 crore. This led to a heated argument and there is a video of Jalan threatening Khan,” he added.
It was also found that ₹70 lakh were sent to Dubai-based bookie through hawala channels, which is under probe.