Nagpur: In a significant development, the Sonegaon police have added Section 420 to the list of charges against cricket bookies Kunal Sachdev and Hemant Gurubakshani. The accused were apprehended by the Sonegaon police, who have taken swift action against them under various sections, including 420, 465, 467, 471, 34, 12, and 66(d).
During the investigation, the Sonegaon police made startling discoveries on the laptop belonging to the accused individuals. Additionally, WhatsApp chat conversations on their mobile devices were also recovered. The police acted upon information received by PSI Pramod Mohite, who was alerted to the presence of bookies from Goa arriving via an Indigo flight. Acting on this tip-off, the police successfully apprehended the two bookies.
Upon sighting the police, one of the bookies, identified as Kunal Harishkumar Sachdev, a resident of Jaripatka, attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended near RK Motor at Hemu Kalani Chowk. The police discovered a total of Rs 65,500 worth of goods in his possession.
Hemant Gurubakshani’s name emerged during the investigation, leading to his subsequent arrest. The police found evidence of IPL betting transactions and recorded conversations on the accused’s laptop and mobile devices, spanning various dates. Kunal Sachdev was found to be engaging in betting activities under different aliases on platforms such as SS Sikkim and other apps.
Recordings of the conversations included phrases like “814, 814, Bhau,” “825, Bhaiya ye player bahar jayegi,” “825, 825, 84 mein 25 Suraj Bhaiya ka ball chalu, wide,” “95 mein half ditch,” “296, 296, 296 karachi mili hai,” indicating the nature of their betting activities.
The accused, Kunal Sachdev, allegedly encouraged people to place bets on matches through websites like Cricket Line Guru, Nice Line, Ace Sikkim, and Shubhalabh. The police are currently interrogating the accused to gather more information about the extent of their operations.
The Sonegaon police’s diligent efforts in apprehending the cricket bookies and unearthing crucial evidence demonstrate their commitment to combatting illegal betting activities and maintaining the integrity of the sport. Further investigations are underway to unravel any potential links or networks associated with these individuals.
