Early speculations from the bookie circles indicated that despite Mumbai and Delhi police’s crackdown on betting and spot-fixing syndicate, the betting on IPL matches would continue and not stop. However, now an interesting fact has emerged, as sources said that betting on the name of a bookie already arrested by Mumbai crime branch and now in jail, is still carrying on.
The bookie has been identified as Pravin Ambalal Behra alias PD, who was arrested from his Bhandup residence on May 16. Ten cellphones and one laptop were seized from him. On Wednesday, he was sent to judicial custody by a local court and lodged in Arthur Road Jail.
Sources said that Behra runs a (betting) book by his alias name PD. However, despite his arrest, his book has been kept running by two of his bookie friends — Kothari and Nako — who are also accused in the Mumbai police case, and are believed to be operating from Rajasthan. Sources added that bets were accepted and placed through his book and since he is inside jail, other bookies are keeping the book, as PD is famous in the bookie circle and it cannot be afforded at this stage of the IPL season.
The six bookies, who were sent to judicial custody on Wednesday, have been kept in barrack number 10 of Arthur Road Jail that also houses members of Dawood gang. This is the indication that all the bookies are suspected to be associated with the “D” gang, as it’s a practice that members of one gang are kept together as a safety measure.
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Ed also starts crackdown on illegal betting
Age Correspondent
Mumbai, May 23
The Enforcement Director-ate too has started a crackdown on illegal sports betting syndicates in the country. With a view to investigate money laundering and foreign exchange violations, the ED conducted searches at three places in the city, including the residence of an “agent” who reportedly works for Hyderabad-based bookies.
“Teams from the Ahmedabad and Mumbai ED offices searched the three places in Mumbai on May 21,” said a source privy to the develop-
ments.