Mahasamud police delivered a stunning blow to organized crime with the arrest of six top operators in a sprawling IPL online betting empire. The master admin, who managed panels, sold IDs, and distributed winnings, was among those caught in coordinated raids spanning Raipur and Bemetara.
Recovered items paint a picture of high-tech gambling: two laptops, a tablet, 13 touchscreen mobiles, nine keypad phones, and ledgers documenting 1.15 crore rupees in bets. Valued at 2.46 crore rupees, these assets dismantle a key revenue stream for the underworld.
The gang’s modus operandi involved WhatsApp groups like ‘Power X’ and custom online panels, luring punters into IPL wagers. They operated fluidly across districts, dodging law enforcement until a tip-off and technical surveillance closed in.
Earlier action on April 8 netted six more at a roadside dhaba, setting the stage for this larger takedown. Named suspects include tech-savvy figures like Saurabh Jain and Nishant Nagwani, now facing judicial remand.
With cases slapped under anti-gambling and cyber laws, Mahasamud police signal zero tolerance. The investigation expands, targeting remaining panel operators and unraveling the full extent of this IPL-fueled racket that preyed on cricket fans’ fervor.
