Nagpur, October 14
The entire bookie and hawala market has been hit hard by the sudden raids conducted by the commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar on Monday evening and the arrest of seven bookies. Now the bookies are looking towards Goa for rescue.
Some infamous bookies in Nagpur, who are well connected nationally and internationally had made Nagpur, the biggest betting market of Central India. The bookies had created rumours that they can manage anybody and everybody, through their agents and had started the betting racket on mega scale during the current IPL season. In a matter of two weeks, the bookies had transacted and placed bet and earned commission to the tune of `10-12 thousand crores.
When the fixers and setters were least expecting, CP Amitesh Kumar picked up Sanjay alias Chhotu Agarwal, Jitendra Kamnani, Shankar Kakkar, Prashant Shah, Abhishek Lunavat, Pankaj Wadhwani and Shailesh Lakhotia. The above group comprises bookies, setter, fixers and people handling cricket betting. The CP has warned them against doing any kind of illegal business. The IPL betting market in Nagpur was on complete standstill on Tuesday and some minor bets were placed from Bhandara, Chandrapur and Wardha. The main centre of Nagpur bookies is Goa and maximum bookies from Nagpur have shifted their base to Goa.
When the news about their arrest spread and the fact that all the phone records are being checked, the connection between cricket and bookies have been cut and hence all are looking at Goa for answer.
Jaripatka off, Khamla on
Due to the raid, the betting market of Jaripatka was closed, but Chaatani and his punters were active in Khamla. Atul Chandrapur from Dharampeth and Kakkar mama were active offline, sources informed.
Bets worth crores stopped
CP Amitesh Kumar’s action has halted cricket bets worth crores and hence the bookies and hawala traders are looking for alternatives, sources informed.