12 Held in Nellore IPL Betting Racket, ₹2.05 Lakh Cash Seized

Nellore police have busted an IPL cricket betting racket and arrested 12 persons involved in the illegal operation. Two more accused are absconding, and efforts are on to trace them. Police also seized ₹2.05 lakh in cash, 13 mobile phones and a television set from the accused.

District Superintendent of Police Ajitha Vejendla disclosed the details at Dargamitta police station on Tuesday evening. She said the police had intensified surveillance on online cricket betting during the ongoing IPL season, which will continue till May 24.

The SP stated that the crackdown was launched following directions from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and instructions from State DGP Harish Kumar Gupta to curb online betting activities across the state.

She said police kept close watch on known offenders involved in betting networks and gathered crucial evidence during inspections conducted at lodges in the city. Investigations revealed that the racket was being operated through 28 bank accounts.

The betting network came to light on April 19 after police raided a private hotel in Magunta Layout under Dargamitta police station limits. Three accounts linked to the racket in Axis Bank, RBL Bank and HDFC Bank have been frozen.

According to police, the prime accused in the case is Sk. Fariaz, who allegedly ran betting operations through the Radhe Exchange app. Along with him, Konduru Raju and 10 others were taken into custody. Officials found that financial transactions worth ₹37 lakh were carried out through the accounts during the current IPL season.

The SP appealed to youth to stay away from online betting apps and warned that strict action would continue against such illegal activities. She urged citizens to share information with police by calling 112 or 9392903413.