Interesting revelations came to light when bookies Sonu Yogendra Jalan alias Malad and Devendra Kothari alias Bhaiyyaji opened their mouths in the crime branch interrogation. The former told the police that he paid Rs. 10 crore to Sri Lankan cricket captain as a part of match fixing. Names of many top Indian cricketers have also come to light in the interrogation.

It may be recalled that Mumbai crime branch raided a building in Lokhandwala and arrested duo for allegedly running a betting racket in the city. The police also arrested two others and seized voice recorders, computer, laptops, Rs. 5.18 lakh cash and 25 mobile phones. The four persons were booked under prevention of gambling act.

The police sources said the turn over of Sonu Jalan and Devendra Kothari was Rs. 500 crore a month and they were controlled by notorious criminal Chhota Shakeel’s gang in Pakistan. The police said the gang was well-orgnanized with customized software to monitor band assess betting.  Sonu has also said that he paid one crore rupees to an IPS officer earlier to prevent the arrest.

The entire incident apparently shocked the police department and the media. This episode has close resemblance to the main theme of the Bollywood movie Jannath.

(Phani)