The Panchkula Police have successfully dismantled an organized cricket betting gang operating in the city. In a targeted raid conducted late last night, officials arrested seven individuals allegedly involved in placing and facilitating illegal bets on the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) matches.
The Operation Acting on a confidential tip-off regarding suspicious activities in a residential area, a team from the Sector 20 Police Station and the Cyber Cell coordinated the raid.
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The Scene: Upon entering the premises, police found the suspects using specialized software and multiple mobile devices to track live match scores and odds. They were reportedly communicating with “clients” across various states.
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Recoveries: During the search, the police recovered 24 mobile phones, 2 laptops, a tablet, and a significant amount of unaccounted cash. Ledger books containing transaction details worth lakhs of rupees were also seized.
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The Modus Operandi: The gang used encrypted messaging apps to avoid detection and relied on a “master” ID provided by offshore betting websites to manage their operations.
Police Statement A senior Panchkula police official stated that the gang had been active since the start of the current WPL season. “The primary aim was to lure young people into quick-money schemes. We are now investigating the larger network to find out the ‘main handlers’ who are likely operating from outside the district,” the official added.
Legal Action The seven accused have been booked under the relevant sections of the Public Gambling Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). They were produced before a local court today, which has sent them to two-day police custody for further interrogation. The Cyber Cell is currently analyzing the seized laptops to trace the digital money trail and identify the bank accounts linked to the betting racket.
The Panchkula administration has urged citizens to stay away from illegal betting activities and report any such suspicious hubs in their neighborhoods.
