Latur cops bust IPL betting racket, arrest 2 & seize Rs4.5L

Chhatrapati Sambhajingar: The local crime branch of the Latur police busted an IPL betting racket in the Nilanga area. They also arrested two men and seized cash and items collectively valued at Rs 4.5 lakh.The action was carried out on Sunday as part of an intensified drive against illegal activities in the district. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by inspector Sudhakar Bavkar conducted a raid at Dadgi Shivar, along the Dadgi-Bhangar Chincholi Road, around 8.15The arrested men have been identified as Lakhan, alias Baba Kamble (29), and Pawan Kamble (26), both residents of Milind Nagar Peth in Nilanga. The police said they were caught red-handed while allegedly accepting bets on an IPL match between Chennai and Delhi teams.During the search, officials seized six mobile phones of different companies, documents used to record betting transactions, and other materials linked to the illegal operation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo was working for a Mumbai-based bookie identified as ‘Ravi Seth'. The accused allegedly accepted bets over phone calls and forwarded transaction details to the bookie via WhatsApp, earning a commission of 10% on the betting amount.Latur SP Amol Tambe said, "We have intensified our crackdown on illegal betting and gambling activities in the district. This action is part of a sustained effort to dismantle such networks. investigation is underway to trace the main accused and identify others involved in the racket."Sub-inspector Rajesh Ghadge said a case was registered against the accused under section 12(a) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act.