COME TO GOA, GOA AMCHEM RE! (IPL betting)

Six bookies caught red-handed in Candolim May 28, 2013 IPL betting hits Goa PANJIM: The Indian Premier League betting saga rocked Goa Sunday night, when Goa police swooped down on six bookies, at a holiday home in Candolim, for accepting bets on the outcome of the finals between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Paresh Asarpota, Ketan Chawda, Ritesh Patel, Amit Papat, Sandeep Asarpota and Nikunj Lalan, all aged between 30 and 45, hailing from Mumbai were arrested from a villa owned by one Gurgaon businessman, which they had rented for a whopping Rs two-lakh a month. All six who were caught red-handed, have been remanded to five days police custody. The Department had formed a special investigation team (SIT) led by North superintendent of police Vishram Borkar to probe this racket and the volume of money used in the trading. “Six persons have been arrested along with articles such as 46 mobile phones, four laptops, chargers, Idea net setter, one Samsung LCD TV, iPad, printer, set top box, cash of about Rs 26,000… These have been confiscated for investigation,” DIG Dr OP Mishra told a press conference at police headquarters Monday. Initial investigations have revealed that the bookies were even involved in betting during the final match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on Sunday night. It was at this very time when their premises was raided by Calangute police based on credible information received by inspector Nilesh Rane. Investigation has also revealed that the bookies were accepting bets on the outcome of the matches, dot balls, maiden overs and other factors during the last 45 days. “The group already had some mobile numbers on which people would call for placing bets. The same information would be fed on the laptops. We have also recovered a register containing several contact numbers,” the DIG said. The register could be a crucial tip-off for the Goa police as it could lead them to a larger network involved in the scandal. Mishra said although initial investigations have ruled out their links with the Delhi bookies, the information which will be collected during their interrogation may give investigators another angle. The DIG has also ruled out their direct involvement in spot-fixing or match-fixing, based on the preliminary investigations. “Whoever would place the bet, the money would be delivered to them,” he said. The information will be shared with Delhi and Mumbai police in case they want to interrogate the bookies in Goa. Sushant Chabra, owner of the bungalow ~ located in a secluded place ~ has been dragged into the investigation as he allowed the bookies to use the premise for illegal activity. PI Rane, when contacted told Herald, the raid was conducted at 10.30-40 pm after obtaining a warrant from the deputy superintendent of police. Meanwhile, the six arrested bookies were produced before JMFC Mapusa and then taken for a medical test at the District Hospital, Mapusa. The Calangute Police team, led by PI Rane, consisted of PSI Mahesh Gadekar, Narendra Salgaonkar, Vinod Naik, Udesh Kerkar, Phadte and Vishal. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/Six-bookies-caught-red-handed-in-Candolim/74924.html