Udupi: Udupi district police have arrested five persons, including an alleged key bookie, in three separate cases as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal Matka gambling across the district.
Karkala police arrest Matka suspect
On August 1, Karkala Town Police arrested Veerendra Shetty, 42, a resident of Borkatte in Miyyaru village, for allegedly collecting money for Matka gambling near a shop close to the Karkala public bus stand.
Police alleged that he was enticing people by offering Rs. 70 for every Re 1 wager. They seized Rs. 1,415 in cash, Matka slips and a mobile phone from his possession. A case was registered at Karkala Town Police Station.
Two arrested in Brahmavar
In another operation on the same day, Brahmavar Police arrested Kushal Shetty, 66, who was allegedly collecting bets near a bar in Handadi village.
Police said he was accepting bets on numbers from 00 to 99 and promising Rs. 70 for every Re 1 wager. They seized Rs. 2,395, a Matka slip and a ballpoint pen.
In a separate case in Chantaru village, police arrested Chandrashekar Shetty for allegedly collecting money for Matka gambling.
During questioning, he reportedly told police that he handed over the collected money to Ratnakar Shetty of Korgi village, who allegedly conducted the gambling based on lucky numbers. Police seized Rs. 1,400, a Matka slip and a ballpoint pen.
Both Chandrashekar and Ratnakar were subsequently arrested.
Key bookie arrested during investigation
As the investigation progressed, police traced an alleged key bookie based on information provided by the accused. Leo Cornelio, a resident of Shivalli village in Udupi, was arrested for his alleged role in operating the Matka network.
Udupi district police said the crackdown against illegal gambling activities will continue across the district.