Cops bust IPL betting operations, 10 arrested

Kanpur: The Kanpur Commissionerate police dismantled two separate IPL betting operations that were facilitating bets on ongoing IPL matches in Bithoor. The police apprehended 10 people and recovered Rs 16,61,500 in cash. The police also froze a bank account holding 14 lakh belonging to the bookmakers. In a separate operation, Sen Paschim Para police detained five individuals and seized Rs 6,78,000 lakh.

According to DCP (West) Aarti Singh, following reports of widespread IPL betting, a joint operation by the surveillance team and Bithoor police was conducted at Aman Tiwari's residence in Naramau, Mandhana. ACP Chakeri Sumit Ramteke led the operation. The suspects attempted to escape during the raid but were caught. The police seized 25 mobile phones, laptops, and additional items alongside the arrests.

The arrested bookmakers include Razi Khan, Janib Ali, Irshad Ahmed, Rahim, Gaurav Dwivedi, Irfan, Tayyab Ahmed, Imran, Irfan Khan, and Amir Khan. Police are currently investigating their connections. In the Sen Paschim Para area, the Crime Branch operation resulted in five arrests. The police confiscated Rs 6,78,000, 19 mobile phones, laptops, betting slips, and other materials.

DCP (Crime) Mohammad Qasim reported receiving ongoing information about ball-by-ball betting in IPL matches. Acting on intelligence, the Crime Branch's SWAT team conducted raids in the Sen West Para police station jurisdiction, leading to the arrest of Rohit Kumar, Vijay, Sandeep Sahu, Saurabh Makhani, and Amit Soni. Investigators revealed the bookmakers' connections to Middle Eastern countries and are working to identify additional local and international associates.

DCP Aarti Singh confirmed that the police are maintaining vigilance across the city to prevent such illegal activities during IPL matches. The police are particularly focusing on real-time betting operations that accept wagers on ball-by-ball developments during matches. The police have warned of strict action against people involved in illegal betting activities. They have also urged citizens to report any suspicious betting-related activities in their areas. The investigation continues as police work to dismantle the entire betting network operating in the region.