Cops suspect Dubai link to Ashti betting racket

Chandrapur: The online betting racket busted by Aheri police at remote Ashti village in Gadchiroli district is suspected to have links up to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and some metro cities in the country. Also, with the cops naming 19 more persons from Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, the number of accused in the case up to 29.
Aheri police led by SDPO Amol Thakur had busted an online betting den operated in Ashti village in Aheri tehsil on July 30. The cops had rounded up accused Chhagan Madhale, Rajesh Dharmale, Manoj Adetwar, Dravyarao Chandrakar, Sumit Nagrale, Surendra Shekle and Sandeep Gudapwar during the initial raids.
Investigations revealed that they were bookies who sought bets on international cricket and football matches. Bets were placed through online betting sites betx1.co and nice777.net.
During further interrogation, names of Rakesh Kondawar, Abdul Rajik Khan and Mahesh Allewar from Chandrapur came to fore and they were arrested. Cops have seized Rs21.33 lakh cash and 10 mobile phones from the accused.
“The bets were placed with the help of password-protected user IDs, obtained through a server. The arrested accused served as bookies and agents and accepted bets. We are, however, yet to trace the server,” said investigation officer, SDPO Thakur.
He said interrogation of the accused revealed 19 more names of accused who are from Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Aheri, Ashti and Sironcha. However, all these 19 accused have gone absconding. “We are confident of arresting them in coming days,” he said talking to TOI.
The SDPO claimed police have come across leads hinting at foreign connection to the betting racket, but these need to be substantiated with evidence.
He, however declined to reveal information about police moving in to block bank accounts of some accused and suspects in the case at Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and other places. He claimed that PCR of the accused arrested will end on Saturday and they would be presented before the court.