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In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Crime Branch has busted an illegal betting racket operating during the high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash between India and Australia. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officials arrested two bookies, identified as Parveen Kochhar and Sanjeev Kumar, who were found running a well-organized betting syndicate.
The arrests took place on March 4 in Sector 23, Dwarka, following an investigation led by Sub-Inspector Anuj Kumar. The duo had been accepting large-scale bets on the much-anticipated semi-final, exposing the deep-rooted betting network operating under the radar.
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Devices, Records, and a Two-Year-Old Betting Operation Exposed
During the raid, police seized a massive cache of electronic devices and records used for live betting. The confiscated items included:
- 2 Laptops
- 25 Mobile Phones
- 1 LED Smart TV
- 2 Notepads, 2 Ball Pens, and a Wooden Box Suitcase
- 2 Sony Recorders
Authorities revealed that the suspects had been running this operation for two years, accumulating transactions of nearly ₹1.5 lakh per matchday, with individual profits ranging between ₹30,000 to ₹40,000.
How The Betting Racket Functioned
The illegal betting syndicate operated using two primary methods:
1️⃣ Online Betting via Master ID – Parveen Kochhar, the mastermind, purchased a Master ID from a betting website and created Super Master IDs, which were then sold to bettors as unique betting IDs to place their wagers.
2️⃣ Offline Betting via Direct Calls – The accused also accepted direct calls from bettors, who placed live bets based on the fluctuating betting odds.
Kochhar, who had previously run a factory in Mundka, turned to illegal betting to make quick money, collaborating with bookies from various regions to expand his network.
Illegal Betting Continues to Plague Indian Sports
Despite strict laws, illegal betting remains a persistent issue in India, especially in cricket, where the sport’s massive popularity makes it a lucrative target for gambling syndicates. This latest bust highlights the urgent need for stricter laws and enforcement to protect the integrity of the sport and prevent further exploitation by betting mafias.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 nearing its climax, authorities remain on high alert to curb illegal activities and ensure fair play on and off the field.
