Bhubaneswar: The Puri police on Wednesday busted an IPL betting racket operating in the district and arrested four persons allegedly involved in running the illegal network through digital platforms.
The accused have been identified as Prasanna Prusti and Bishwanath Lenka of Masani Chandi Square under Baseli Sahi police limits, B. Nageswar Sahu of Badasankha under Kumbharpara police limits in Puri city, and Ramakanta Sahu of Birapratappur under Chandanpur police limits.
According to Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, police seized Rs 25.35 lakh in cash during the operation and froze Rs 31.81 lakh across 10 bank accounts linked to the betting racket. Six mobile phones used for coordinating the illegal activities were also recovered.
Police said Prusti is the alleged mastermind of the racket, which was being operated through an “exchange app.” The accused were reportedly coordinating betting activities using multiple digital platforms to avoid detection.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the financial transactions linked to the network run into several crores of rupees. The racket was operating in a structured manner with links spread across different locations in the district.
Police have intensified efforts to identify and arrest other members associated with the betting syndicate. Further investigation is underway, the SP said while briefing the media.
