In a major crackdown on illegal online betting during the ongoing IPL season, Brahmapur police arrested a key bookie and seized cash, vehicles, and mobile phones while freezing bank accounts containing lakhs of rupees.
Acting on intelligence, a team from Baidyanathpur Police Station raided a location in Pandia Colony near Ankuli Over Bridge. Several young men fled the spot upon seeing the police, but officers managed to nab Ranjan Sahu (29), a resident of Lanjiapali Shiva Shakti Nagar.
Police recovered ₹66,000 in cash, two mobile phones, and one car from the spot. Authorities also froze multiple bank accounts linked to the racket that held lakhs of rupees.
According to Brahmapur SP Dr Shravana Vivek M, the accused was running an illegal betting operation by providing user IDs and passwords to locals on platforms like Sky Exchange and Bet-365. Many young people in the city have reportedly suffered heavy financial losses due to this growing menace.
A case has been registered (Case No. 240/26), and the accused was produced in court on Sunday. Police said the investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest the main kingpins operating the betting syndicate in the city.
This raid comes after repeated media reports highlighted how online IPL betting is destroying the financial stability of youth in the region. Police have intensified drives against such illegal activities.
