IPL betting racket busted in Odisha’s Sundargarh; 4 held, over Rs 5 Lakh seized

Sundargarh: In a crackdown, a team of Sundargarh Police yesterday arrested four members of a racket for their alleged involvement in online betting for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

The arrested are Mithun Sahu (33), Sanjay Sahu (40), Sanjay Kumar Sahoo (40), all from Bhitiriapada under Town police limits, and Subodh Choudhury (46) from Khamaripada in the district.

According to a police source, acting on a tip-off a raid was conducted on a house at Mahadevpada under Town police limits in the district leading to the arrests and seizure of huge cash.

Police have seized cash of Rs 5,17,200 from the possession of accused persons. Following the raid, a laptop, six smart mobile phones, three motorcycles, and debit and credit cards were also seized.

“Police team was tipped off that four men were betting in Mahadevpada during an IPL match. Swinging into action, the team led by Sundargarh SDPO Himanshu Behera, Town PS IIC Aditya Mahakud, and sub-Inspector Anil Kumar Samal raided a house and arrested the four persons,” a senior cop said.

Town police have registered a case in this connection under Sections 294-A, 420, 34, 3, and 4 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978, and launched a detailed probe.

The three arrested were forwarded to a local court earlier today.