Two IPL betting gangs busted in Vizag

Each year witnesses an increasing number of betting cases being reported all across the country during Indian Premier League (IPL). Vizag too sees a fair share of such cases being registered each year. This season as well seems to be thriving high in the betting markets and the recent busting of two gangs in the city proves the same.

The City Task Force team and two teams from Three Town Police Station raided two apartments at Kirlampudi Layout in Vizag recently, busting seven members from two gangs who were involved in organising betting. The accused were taken into custody on Wednesday night during the clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings.

According to the reports, three laptops, five multi-level cell connectivity boxes, 93 mobile phones, 3 television sets, 9 personal mobile phones, 100s of used sim cards, 34 unused sim cards, five betting registers, one digital scanner, one four-wheeler, four two-wheelers, and 10.6 Lakh in cash were confiscated  by the CTF team led by ACP I.Chittibabu and Three town team led by Emmanuel Raju.

Joint Commissioner of Police Nagendra Kumar, stated that the teams have conducted raids in Akshaya Villa apartment and Hema Heritage apartment. The main accused were identified to be Marada Lakshmi Chandra Shekhar from Hyderabad’s SR Nagar and Avupati Bheema Raju from Anaparthi in East Godavari. Gandi Swamy, Gadni Ramu Naidu, Bhogila Satyam, Lokarapu Tirupati and Kovvuri Vara Prasad were the commentator’s cum phone boys.

Police informed that the betting ranged from several Lakhs of rupees with the overall sum expected to be Rs 2.5 crore in the last 13 days of IPL.

ACP Chittibabu stated that the police have registered two different cases at Three Town police station under the provisions of the AP Gaming Act. He also said that in the last 4 years, this was the biggest that the police have cracked.

Source: The Hindu