IPL betting racket: Cops to quiz 6 more

SONU JALAN, WHO WAS ARRESTED ON MAY 30, SPILLED THE BEANS ABOUT THE SIX PEOPLE

THANE: The Thane anti extortion cell (AEC) will soon question six more people, who are said to be from Delhi and its neighbouring areas, in the multi-crore Indian Premier League (IPL) betting racket. Bookie Sonu Jalan, who was arrested on May 30 in connection with the racket, shared the information about the six people, whose names were saved in his mobile phone as Anil Haridwar, Golu Delhi, Harish Pakoda Faridabad, Ashu Nagpal, JD Delhi and Ram Swaroop Delhi.

Pradeep Sharma, senior police inspector of AEC confirmed the development.

Jalan, who is alleged to be the kingpin, told AEC officers that the six people were in direct touch with him. Sources said these six people are known in the betting circle and earn in lakhs a month.

Sharma said the AEC will first ascertain the roles of the six bookies before questioning them.

“We have seized Jalan’s mobile and found mobile numbers which are under investigation. Besides, we are investigating how long they have been part of the racket. Jalan told us that the bookies were in touch with him from the past couple of years. We are verifying this.”

Jalan had more than 3,500 punters with an annual turnover of ₹10-Rs12 crore.

“We have also found Whatsapp chats, which are related to Jalan and the IPL betting racket,” Sharma revealed. Some dance bar girls may also be linked to the racket, another source said.

“We are yet to solve the transaction trail riddle,” said another AEC officer.

The lid on the racket was blown on May 18 after AEC arrested three cricket bookies from Dombivli: Gautam Savla, 43, who ran a grocery shop, Nikhil Sampat, 53, who worked in a private firm (both residents of Dombivli), and Nitish Punjani, 28, a Thane resident who was unemployed. Their arrest led AEC to three more bookies, including Jalan who is from Malad.

Seven bookies have been arrested in the racket, and the statement of actor Arbaaz Khan had been recorded. He had confessed to placing bets and decided to be an approver.