Pune:
Even as the police claimed to be vigilant against betting rackets operating in the city, the bookies seem to have outwitted them. Without fear of any raid, the bookies in Pune managed to run their Rs 5,000-crore business smoothly on Saturday during the World Cup final match between India and Sri Lanka.
The Pune Anti-Terrorism Cell (PATC) managed to nab three small-time traders from Pimpri and Khadki, who were allegedly running a betting racket on Saturday night.
Why should we fear the police? asked a bookie. "There was no fear of police raid in the city, as the betting operations were carried out in full swing. A couple of arrests does not affect our business."
The bookie said the city had generated a huge business. "Although Nagpur was the nerve-centre of our activities, Pune also saw a huge business of about Rs 5,000 crores. No cash was used in the transactions, so the police can not even trace us," the bookie said.
The PATC on Saturday night arrested Naresh Tulsamal Mata (33), Joiab Gafoor Khan (27) and Nilesh Thakar (23) from Pimpri and Khadki on charges of carrying out illegal betting.
Police Inspector (PATC) Sunil Tambe said, "The trio was found placing bets during the cricket match on Saturday. Cash and four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects, while two other accomplices managed to slip out."