2 arrested for betting on World Cup granted bail

Mumbai: A sessions court has granted bail to two persons arrested for betting on World Cup Cricket match 2019 through apps that were disguised as mobile gaming apps. The persons involved in betting were using URL link and password shared with only those who were involved in the betting.

The court granted them bail observing that the URL link and password was shared by absconding accused and the applicants had cooperated with investigation by providing all details of absconding accused.

The prosecution case is that the accused were using several websites and apps, which were designed to look like gaming apps, but were actually enabling users to place bets.

The Mulund police had arrested total of five persons of whom two —Mukesh Thakkar (40), a resident of district Bhuj in Gujarat and Yogesh Thakkar (44), resident of Mumbai — had applied for bail.

According to police the cricket betting racket was busted on June 18, when two people were arrested. A match between England and Afghanistan was scheduled that day. The duo was booked under section 420 (cheating) and relevant sections of the Gambling Act and the interrogation indicated that they were allegedly part of a larger racket.

Later, a police team was sent to Udaipur in Rajas-than, where a few were suspected to be hiding. The team picked up three people on July 5, while they were allegedly placing and accepting bets on the Pakistan VS Bangladesh match that was being played on that day.

Sessions judge Sunil Soor observed that the applicants gave information about receipt of the URL link and password to police as well as details of absconding accused persons. Noting that they cooperated with the investigation and there was no requirement for further detention, the judge granted bail to both the applicants on personal bond of Rs 15,000 each.