Bookies under lens in Wardha money laundering racket

Wardha: A major racket involving online cricket betting, gaming and illegal financial transactions is suspected to be operating in Wardha city, with police probe revealing details about alleged misuse of current, business accounts for transactions worth crores of rupees. Several well-known cricket bookies are reportedly on police radar.The case came to light after Pratik Lokhande, a resident of Borgaon Meghe stone quarry area, alleged that his bank account was misused after he was promised financial benefits for allowing its use. The bank later froze the account after transactions of 22 lakh were detected. Lokhande lodged a complaint with Wardha city police against Tanmay Bhagat and Sunny Holani. The offence was registered by Wardha city police on April 30. Bhagat was arrested from Nagpur on May 15 and later sent to Wardha jail. Holani is absconding, police said.Police found that Bhagat allegedly persuaded several people to open current and business accounts in exchange for 10,000 and collected their ATM cards, passbooks, cheque books and four SIM cards.Cops found these account kits were allegedly sold to agents in MP, Gwalior and Pune for 25,000 to 50,000. The accounts reportedly carried transaction limits from 50 lakh to approx 2 crore. Investigators suspect accounts were operated through corporate IDs. Cops suspect agents from MP stayed at hotels in Wardha for 2-3 days. Cops said the accused has allegedly disclosed names of 12-13 prominent cricket bookies in Wardha. Investigators suspect the racket may have pan-India links. Santosh Tale, PI, Wardha city police, said, "A special team has been formed for investigation. Information regarding some bank transactions has been received and more accused may be added in the case."