Hyderabad: Goshamahal Police busted an online betting racket operating from Begum Bazar and arrested a 59-year-old man accused of organising illegal cricket and racecourse betting activities.
Acting on specific information, police raided a residence at Narayan Bhavan in Begum Bazar on May 29. During the operation, officers arrested Venu Gopal Sharma alias “Idly Venu.”
Investigators alleged that Sharma operated betting activities under the name “Godavari Associates.” According to police, he accepted bets through WhatsApp and other communication channels and collected money through intermediaries.
Police seized a mobile phone and Rs.3,000 in cash during the raid.
Online betting racket operated through messaging platforms
During questioning, Sharma allegedly admitted to organising betting operations. Police said he also deleted WhatsApp conversations to conceal evidence related to the online betting racket.
Investigators described Sharma as a habitual offender. They said previous betting-related cases had already been registered against him at Goshamahal and Charminar police stations.
Police registered a case and continued further investigation into the matter. Authorities later produced the accused before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
The operation took place under the supervision of Golconda Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police G. Chandra Mohan and Goshamahal Division ACP K. Chandra Sekhar Reddy. Personnel from Goshamahal Police Station assisted in the raid.
Meanwhile, police warned that they would take strict action against organisers, promoters and participants involved in illegal betting activities. They also urged citizens to report gambling operations to law enforcement authorities.