Puri: In a significant breakthrough, Puri police have arrested the alleged kingpin of a large-scale IPL betting syndicate operating in Odisha.
The accused, identified as 32-year-old Krishna Prasad Tripathy alias ‘Boss’, was running a well-organized betting empire worth crores of rupees.
According to police sources, Krishna, a resident of Berhampur, maintained a low profile and operated in a cinematic style by keeping his real identity secret. He owned a hotel named ‘Namaste’ in Berhampur and is also believed to have developed custom software for the betting operations. He allegedly used the online platform ‘Sky Exchange’ to facilitate betting and earned lakhs of rupees through illegal IPL betting.
Following his arrest, police conducted a search at his residence and seized approximately Rs 10 lakh in cash. They also froze and seized Rs 8 lakh from his Axis Bank account. Further investigation into his other bank accounts, properties, ATMs, and assets is underway.
On April 29, police had earlier busted a betting operation at Masani Chandi Square in Puri. Four persons were arrested from the spot while betting was in progress. The arrested individuals are Prasanna Prusti (38) of Markandeswar Sahi, B. Nageshwar Rao of Badasankha area, Biswajit Lenka of Masani Chandi Chhak and Ramakant Sahu of Chandanpur.
Police seized Rs 3.04 lakh in cash and six mobile phones from the spot. During a subsequent raid at Prusti’s house, another Rs 22.31 lakh in cash was recovered.
In total, police had earlier seized and frozen assets worth over Rs 31.81 lakh in connection with the racket. The illegal betting operation is suspected to have been running for nearly two years.
With the arrest of the main accused ‘Boss’, police claim to have delivered a major blow to the betting syndicate.
Interrogation and further investigation are continuing to uncover the full network and other accomplices.
