Rise in matka cases leaves police in a tizzy

HUBLI: Matka menace is rearing its ugly head in the city once again and has also turned out to be a big challenge for police to crack down on the bookies involved in gambling.
Matka activities were curbed systematically when they reached its peak in the city a few years ago. But, now, with matka spreading across the city in the last few months, leaving police in a tizzy..
Hubli police have registered 17 matka cases after arresting more than 20 persons running the illegal activity in the city in the last three months and recovered computers and mobiles and lakhs of rupees used for gambling. All kinds of people are today clandestinely betting money in activities being operated by agents in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.
Most matka bookies operate through mobile phones, while local bookies receive money from the public and pass the amount to main agents operating from Mumbai. Police said people who place money in matka can choose either kalyani matka or Mumbai matka, in Hubli.
Crime branch ACP Savishankar Naik told The Times of India: "Matka cases have come down now and we are registering the case under IPC Section 420. Now, matka cases are being registered as cheating cases."
He said initially, people earned money illegally through liquor and spirit businesses in the city, but after ending the menace of illicit liquor sale, people switched over to matka to make a quick buck.
"Matka is one of the gambling activities that has been banned, but most people have found it as an easy way to double their money in a few hours' time, he added. Bookies are operating from rented houses or staying in lodges and remote areas. We are conducting raids frequently in the city to crack down on the racket," he added.