Representative Image (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: A major breakthrough has come in the investigation into the IPL betting racket in Punjab as the Khanna police froze bank accounts containing Rs 42.3 crore allegedly linked to illegal cricket betting proceeds, according to a report in The Tribune.The development comes days after police busted a high-profile online betting ring operating during the IPL and arrested four accused on April 12. Khanna Superintendent of Police Darpan Ahluwalia said the amount is suspected to have been collected through betting activities and all transactions will now be scrutinized to trace the money trail and identify other beneficiaries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!The arrested individuals – Dinesh Chhabra, Karan Chhabra, Mahinder Singh and Naresh Kumar – are all residents of Khanna and were allegedly running the racket for a long time. Police first seized Rs 44,000 in cash along with 11 mobile phones and a laptop used to facilitate the operation.International connections and money laundering trailThe investigation also revealed an international dimension to the racket, with a Khanna native believed to be hiding in Dubai emerging as the suspected kingpin. Authorities said the accused used multiple bank accounts and digital platforms to launder money and enticed individuals to place bets on IPL matches through international apps.SSP Ahluwalia revealed that the investigation will now expand to look into the bank accounts of family members and associates which may have been used to hide other illegal income. Central agencies, including the Law Enforcement Directorate, are also likely to be involved to deepen the investigation.The police further said that the prime accused, Dinesh and Naresh, have previous cases registered under the Gambling Act, while others also have a criminal record.In a landmark legal move, the Khanna police invoked Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the FIR – a strict provision dealing with petty organized crime. If convicted, the accused face up to seven years in prison. Officials said it was the first time such a section had been used in an IPL betting case in the region, signaling a tougher crackdown on organized illegal betting networks.
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