Seven arrested from restaurant in Ashok Vihar for betting on IPL game

Whenever high adrenaline T20 cricket matches are going on live, there are not just die-hard cricket fans who are glued to the television sets.

Among the many anxious viewers are also bookies, who earn lakhs by betting on the outcome of the match.

The Special Staff North West District busted a racket involving such bookies, who indulged in digital gambling on the Indian Premier League Qualifier 2 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians, which was played on Friday. The racket was being run from a restaurant-cum-bar of Delhi's Ashok Vihar. Six punters who were found gambling at the spot and the manager of the establishment have been arrested.

Eight mobile phones, a TV set, a register containing details of IPL bets and three DVRs were seized by cops.

Specific information was received at the Special Staff about a racket of digital gambling on the IPL game. The tip was further developed and it came to light that a racket was being run from the first floor of the restaurant.

Immediately, a team comprising Inspector Balihar, Constable Sombeer, ASI Sukhwinder and SI Manjeet, under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Anil Kumar, raided the spot on Friday and arrested the accused.

"All the accused persons were subjected to intensive interrogation, during which all of them disclosed that they had gone into gambling in order to earn quick and easy money. They all further stated that the management and owner of the restaurant had full knowledge about gambling in the establishment. They further stated that even the register/stationery was also provided by the staff of the restaurant," said Milind Dumbere, DCP North West.