INDIA. Mumbai: As South Africa secured a resounding victory over England by defeating them by 229 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup held at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the Pimpri Chinchwad police took action by apprehending a bookie on charges of illegal betting during the match.
The bookie in question, Dinesh Harish Sharma, was arrested at his residence in the Adi Amma Bliss society in Kalewadi. During the operation, law enforcement officers seized a substantial sum of Rs 40 lakh in cash, along with two mobile phones and a calculator from Sharma’s possession.
Sharma’s involvement was linked to high-stakes cricket gambling facilitated through the “Cricket Live Line Guru” social media application.
He allegedly offered betting odds of 60 paise per rupee for those wagering on England’s victory and 61 paise per rupee for South Africa’s triumph.
The Pimpri Chinchwad police registered an FIR at the Wakad police station against Sharma and his associates, Dhanu and Shivan, invoking Sections 4, 5, and 12(a) of the Maharashtra Gambling Act. Additionally, Section 21 of the Indian Telegraph Act was applied, as stated by the police.
The operation was executed by a team led by Commissioner Vinay Kumar Chaubey, with the involvement of Jt CP Sanjay Shinde, Addl CP Vasant Pardeshi, DCP Swapna Gore, ACP Satish Mane, and Assistant Police Inspector HV Mane, among others.
According to a press release issued by the police on Sunday, it was alleged that Sharma had been actively participating in cricket betting, referred to as “Khai Lagai,” through the social media application “Cricket Live Line Guru.” He was reported to be collaborating with his two associates in these illicit activities.
Meanwhile, the Hubballi-Dharwad police in Karnataka took stringent measures, registering 16 cases, arresting 33 individuals, and confiscating assets and cash totaling Rs 4 lakh in connection with betting-related charges.
Similar crackdowns were also reported in Navi Mumbai and Delhi, where bookies were apprehended for operating illegal betting operations.
These actions underscore the authorities’ continued efforts to combat unlawful betting activities, ensuring the integrity of sporting events and safeguarding against criminal practices.
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