Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Police in Odisha have intensified their crackdown on illegal IPL betting, with a major operation in Sundargarh district leading to the arrest of five individuals linked to a betting network in Rajgangpur.

Acting on specific intelligence, Sundargarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur directed a special task team to investigate and take swift action. The team carried out a raid on Sunday, successfully uncovering the operation and detaining five suspects who were allegedly managing the betting setup and collecting money from participants.

During the operation, authorities seized Rs 6 lac in cash, froze Rs 17.61 lac held in bank accounts, and recovered five mobile phones believed to have been used in the racket.

A case has been registered at Rajgangpur Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Orissa Prevention of Gambling Act, and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act.

This is part of a broader statewide effort by Odisha Police to curb illegal betting. Similar operations were recently conducted in Puri and Berhampur.

In Puri, police dismantled another IPL betting network in April, arresting four individuals. Authorities seized over Rs 25 lac in cash and froze Rs 31.81 lac in bank accounts associated with the accused. Investigations revealed that the group used online platforms to attract bettors, with the operation reportedly running for nearly two years.

Searches in the case led to the recovery of Rs 3.04 lac and six mobile phones, while an additional Rs 22.31 lac—suspected betting proceeds—was found at one suspect’s residence. Officials confirmed that financial transactions linked to the racket remain under investigation.

Meanwhile, in Berhampur, police arrested a 21-year-old alleged bookie connected to an online betting website, further highlighting the growing use of digital platforms in illegal gambling activities.