Nagpur: As the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament got off to a start, the underground network of notorious cricket bookies spanning Nagpur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Vidarbha regions has sprung into action, aiming to capitalize on the fervour with staggering daily turnovers reaching crores.
The epicentre of this illicit activity lies in Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Gondia, where main bookies have orchestrated a sophisticated network of fake “Mahadev” betting apps, mirroring the infamous operations seen in Chhattisgarh. These fake apps, spearheaded by Rajasthan-based cricket bookie Jahangir, facilitate extensive betting transactions, with a web of Nagpur’s major bookies including Boma, Pankaj Kadhi, Bunty Juice, Paresh, and Mango Sadrani actively participating.
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Wednesday 15 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, individuals such as Dheeraj, Neeraj, Rajik, and Mahesh from Chandrapur have joined forces with the fake Mahadev app, luring in thousands of unsuspecting customers across the State, contributing to the staggering turnover figures in lakhs.
The expansion of this illegal betting empire doesn’t stop there, with reports indicating the involvement of bookies operating in Amravati, Gondia, Bhandara, and Akola, facilitating and catering to the demands of their counterparts in Nagpur and Chandrapur.
However, what is perhaps more concerning is the alleged complicity of law enforcement agencies, particularly in Nagpur, Chandrapur, and other districts, who are purportedly turning a blind eye to these criminal activities. There are even suggestions that certain police personnel may be directly involved, potentially compromising the integrity of the force. If the ‘call records’ are scanned, there is a possibility that many police personnel will be exposed.
As the IPL progresses towards its climax, the feverish atmosphere surrounding cricket betting is expected to intensify further. Bookies in Vidarbha are reportedly gearing up to extend their operations beyond Maharashtra, targeting Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, indicating a concerning escalation of illegal gambling activities.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of IPL matches, the shadowy world of underground betting continues to thrive, highlighting the urgent need for robust law enforcement measures to curb this rampant criminal enterprise and uphold the integrity of the sport.
Love with ‘ID’ by even small bookies
Big bookies in Nagpur and Chandrapur have given their ‘ID’ to small bookies in cities where they don’t have their ‘network’. Niraj-Dhiraj of Chandrapur and Boma of Nagpur have given their IDs to many people to play betting. A small bettor cannot gamble with more than his capacity. Therefore, it is known that a large amount of money is being laundered by big bookies through ID.
Betting transaction through hawala route
Crores are made daily through cricket betting. If all these transactions are done online or through payment apps, there is a fear of coming under the radar of the police. Therefore, the win-loss transaction in cricket betting is done through hawala route. It is known that money is exchanged through hawala in any city.
