Udupi: Udupi district police have intensified their crackdown on illegal matka gambling, arresting five people, including an alleged main bookie, in three separate cases reported across Karkala and Brahmavar.
The arrests were made during operations conducted on August 1, with police seizing cash, matka slips, mobile phones and other items allegedly linked to the gambling activities.
The action comes as part of efforts by the district police to curb illegal betting operations being conducted in public places and through intermediaries.
Karkala police arrest alleged matka collector
In the first case, Karkala town police arrested Virendra Shetty, 42, of Borkatte in Miyyar village, on August 1.
Police apprehended him near a shop close to the public bus stand in Karkala, where he was allegedly collecting money from members of the public for matka gambling.
According to police, bets were being placed with the promise of a return of Rs 70 for every Rs 1 wagered.
During the operation, police seized Rs 1,415 in cash, along with matka slips and a mobile phone allegedly being used in connection with the activity.
A case has been registered at the Karkala town police station and further investigation is underway.
Brahmavar police make second arrest
On the same day, Brahmavar police arrested another individual for allegedly collecting money for matka gambling in a public place near a bar in Handadi village.
The accused was identified as Kushal Shetty, 66.
Police alleged that he was accepting bets on numbers ranging from 00 to 99, with participants reportedly being offered Rs 70 for every Rs 1 wagered on the winning number.
The police seized Rs 2,395 in cash, a matka slip and a ballpoint pen from the accused.
A case has been registered at the Brahmavar police station in connection with the alleged gambling activity.
Investigation leads police to alleged bookie
In another case registered by Brahmavar police, Chandrashekar Shetty was arrested while allegedly collecting money for matka gambling in a public place in Chantaru village on August 1.
During interrogation, police reportedly learned that Chandrashekar was handing over the money he collected to another person identified as Rathnakar Shetty of Korgi village.
According to the information obtained during the investigation, Rathnakar was allegedly running the gambling operation and providing suggested lucky numbers for the betting activity.
Police seized Rs 1,400 in cash, a matka slip and a ballpoint pen from Chandrashekar.
Both Chandrashekar and Rathnakar were arrested and a case was registered at the Brahmavar police station.
Alleged main bookie arrested
Acting on the information obtained from the accused in the Chantaru case, police continued their investigation and traced another person allegedly involved in the gambling network.
The police subsequently arrested Leo Cornelio, a resident of Shivalli village in Udupi, who has been identified as an alleged matka bookie.
His arrest has expanded the investigation beyond those allegedly collecting bets from the public to the suspected organisers of the gambling operation.
Police are now examining the links between the arrested individuals and the flow of money involved in the alleged betting activities.
Police step up action against illegal betting
The three cases highlight the different levels through which illegal matka gambling can reportedly operate, with individuals collecting bets from the public and allegedly transferring the money to persons running the larger operation.
Police have seized cash and betting-related materials in all three cases as part of the investigation.
The arrests also demonstrate the role of interrogation and information gathered from accused persons in tracing individuals allegedly operating behind the scenes.
The Udupi district police are continuing their investigation into the cases and are examining whether the accused have links with other gambling operations in the district.
The latest crackdown sends a warning to those involved in illegal betting activities that police are monitoring public places where such operations are allegedly being conducted.
Further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation and the connections established between the accused.