Initial investigations found that the accused had conspired to fix football matches and defrauded the Indian Football Association in return for substantial financial gains. Image file used to represent | Photo credit: The Hindu
Kolkata Police busted a betting and money laundering racket in the city on Sunday (November 2, 2025) and arrested two persons in connection with the crime. The betting ring operated in the Premier Division of the Kolkata Football League.
“Acting on credible information, the Kolkata Police busted a match-fixing and betting racket operating in the Premier Division of the Kolkata Football League. Two persons, including the president/manager of the city’s football club, have been arrested,” police officials said on Monday (November 3, 2025).
The accused and close associates, team manager Akash Das and media manager Rahul Saha of Kolkata-based football team Khidirpur Sporting, have been arrested. They were produced in court on Monday (November 3) and will remain in police custody until November 17.
“Kolkata police have received several complaints that some team managers are fixing matches, fixing scores through betting rackets and making huge sums of money. They have confessed to the crimes,” Joint Crime Commissioner Rupesh Kumar said on Monday (November 3, 2025).
Initial investigations found that the accused had conspired to fix football matches and defrauded the Indian Football Association in return for substantial financial gains.
Police officials confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the two accused after substantial evidence was collected against them.
According to sources, the Football Association of India lodged a formal complaint with the Kolkata Police, leading to an investigation.
Mr. Das is said to be dedicated to leading the team at Maidan in Kolkata for a long time. On Sunday (November 2, 2025), he was summoned to the police headquarters in Kolkata and questioned for several hours. His answers were inconsistent, leading to further suspicion, officials said.
The arrested persons also gave the police the names of several other persons connected with the racket.
Published – 03 Nov 2025 23:20 IST
