Cops summon bookie in cheating case

Mumbai: After finding links between Vijay Barate — the main accused in the cheating case targeting budding cricketers — and bookie Priyank Saxena, the police issued summons to the bookie. Saxena has responded to the communication, claiming he had borrowed Rs 80 lakh from Barate. The police may record his statement.

The Property Cell of crime branch began probing the case after case was registered with the Chembur police against Barate, a former talent hunt associate of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who duped at least 30 cricketers to the tune of Rs 70 lakh. The cheating took place over the years by using his company RN Sports as a front to promise breaks in IPL and Ranji matches, officials said.

The investigators sent summons to Saxena for questioning in the case. However, in preliminary communication from him ,he claimed that Barate had borrowed money from him. The officials however stated that the reason for them being in touch with each other needs to be found.

“Following Saxena’s claim of lending money, which was put forth as a complaint, we asked him to approach local police station in Delhi. There is no clarity yet on money collected from victims being given to Saxena,” said a crime branch officer.

The Asian Age reported on Monday that based o the suspicion that Barate is associated with Saxena’s betting activities, the link was being probed. Barate and Saxena were in constant touch via multiple phone calls on a daily basis. The purpose of this constant contact needs to be deciphered.