Assam: 5 Held in IPL Betting Racket in Cachar
Police seize cash, mobile phones and betting records during operation in Silchar amid crackdown on illegal gambling.
GUWAHATI- Five persons have been arrested in Assam’s Cachar district for allegedly running an illegal betting racket linked to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), police said on Monday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team of Cachar Police conducted an operation in Silchar town, initially apprehending one suspect identified as Samir Azij. During preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed details about a wider network, prompting follow-up raids.
Subsequently, four more individuals—Saibul Hussain Laskar, Zahir Hussain Laskar, Rajat Kumar Singh and Aftab Laskar—were arrested.
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Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of ₹80,230 in cash, seven Android mobile phones, a notebook containing betting-related calculations, and four sheets allegedly used to maintain records of IPL wagers.
Investigators suspect the mobile devices were used to coordinate bets, communicate with punters, and maintain digital transaction details. The seized notebooks and handwritten records are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
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All materials were taken into custody following due legal procedures, and the accused were produced before a local court on Monday. A case has been registered at Silchar Police Station under relevant legal provisions.
Officials said further investigation is underway to determine whether more individuals are linked to the racket. Efforts are also being made to trace financial transactions, including online payment channels and possible inter-district or interstate connections.
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Police noted that illegal betting activities tend to increase during high-profile sporting events such as the IPL, leading to intensified surveillance and enforcement measures.
Authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious activities and avoid participating in illegal gambling, warning of its links to financial fraud and other criminal networks.
