New Delhi, May 28: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a significant operation against an illegal IPL betting racket. This operation, conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002, involved extensive searches throughout the night. Raids were carried out at multiple locations in Guwahati, Tinsukia (Assam), and New Delhi. The action was part of an investigation into the laundering of ‘proceeds of crime’ linked to a large-scale illegal IPL cricket betting operation.
The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station. This FIR named individuals including Deepesh Bajoria, Raunak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, and others, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970.
On March 30, an annex was added to the ECIR, which included two additional FIRs registered by the Tinsukia Police Station against Vikas Beria, Nitin Beria, Suprit Biswas, and others. These FIRs were related to similar illegal IPL betting operations run by a connected syndicate.
The investigation revealed that the accused were operating a well-organized, hierarchical, and technologically advanced illegal betting and gambling racket on IPL cricket matches. Bets were solicited and accepted via mobile phones, with settlements processed through encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram, as well as online betting platforms located abroad.
Funds generated from betting were distributed both in cash and through digital means (UPI/bank transfers). Subsequently, this money was circulated and concealed through a network of family members and associates spread across Guwahati, Tinsukia, and Delhi. It was then presented as ‘clean assets.’
The searches targeted the residences of Deepesh Bajoria, Raunak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, Vikas Agarwal, Suprit Biswas, Vikas Beria, Nitin Beria, and Durga Prasad Beria, as well as a commercial establishment operating under the name ‘Roycy’ (formerly ‘Playboy’) in Guwahati.
During the operation, numerous pieces of evidence indicating involvement in the crime were uncovered. Most of this evidence was found on digital devices, including mobile phones and other electronic storage media, which contained records of betting transactions, coded communications with bettors and sub-agents, and digital traces of money obtained from criminal activities.
A total of ₹13 lakh in unaccounted cash was seized during the searches, along with three luxury vehicles: a Mercedes-Benz, an MG Hector, and a Toyota Fortuner. It is believed that these vehicles were purchased with money obtained from criminal activities.
Additionally, several bank accounts used for illegal IPL betting activities and transactions involving proceeds of crime were identified and frozen to prevent any further transactions or transfers. The investigation is ongoing.
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