Cyberabad’s Specialized Tactical Operations Team (SWOT) conducted a strategic crackdown on five betting syndicates in a single day, Monday, targeting online gambling operations against the backdrop of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the sweep, approximately 15 facilitators and bookies were apprehended, while nine remain at large. Authorities seized Rs 33.3 lakh in cash, Rs 2.07 crore in bank assets, 75 mobile devices valued at Rs 88.72 lakh, and eight laptops, culminating in a cumulative valuation of roughly Rs 3.29 crore.
An investigation further unveiled an estimated Rs 10 crore across an additional 100 bank accounts linked to these illegal operations. The probe found 581 individuals actively engaged in wagering activities via websites and mobile applications connected to these syndicates. The revelations were shared by Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mahanty, SOT DCP D. Srinivas, and additional DCPs Shobhan and Srinivas Reddy on Monday.
Key Players and Arrests
- Kukatpally: SWOT Inspector Sanjay’s team took into custody Koganthuri Suresh (42), who operated online gambling platforms. Based on intelligence from Suresh, Motkupalli Ramakrishna Reddy (30) from Vikarabad, another individual involved in betting, was also arrested. The principal orchestrator, Ramanjaneyulu of Narasaraopet, evades capture. Authorities seized cash and froze bank accounts with assets valued at Rs 79.99 lakh.
- Miyapur: In a separate operation, SWOT Madapur Inspector Dalinaidu’s team apprehended Kandukuri Veerashankarchari (42), Upasi Vamsikrishna (30), Bhumireddy Ramprasad Reddy (53), and Pabbati Murali (40), who were operating from rented apartments and orchestrating gambling. The primary conspirators, Rajesh Reddy from Bangalore, Suresh Reddy from Proddutur in Kadapa, Nagarjuna Reddy from Anantapur, and Sadik (33) from Acchampeta in Nagarkurnool, are currently fugitives.
- Balanagar: Under the leadership of SWOT Inspector Shyamsunder, Yarramacchu Ajaykumar (53) and Anadula Maheshkumar were detained while conducting gambling operations in HAL Colony, Jeedimetla. Rs 1.98 lakh in cash was seized from their possession. However, their key accomplice, Naresh alias Nani, remains at large.
- Bachupalli: SWOT Madapur police apprehended Mortala Srikanth Reddy (30), Alli Lokesh (29), and Venkata Sunil (28) as they engaged in gambling activities in Sainagar. A sum of Rs 15.13 lakh in cash was confiscated. Nilesh and Buddha Reddy, the primary culprits, managed to escape.
- Dundigal: Shamshabad SWOT team captured Chinnababu, Chennamshetty Karimulla Sheikh Qadri, Panamati Venkatesh, and Donda Ramesh, who were orchestrating betting through apps. A sum of Rs 6.05 lakh in cash was reclaimed. The mastermind, Kalyan, who is from the Bhimavaram area of Andhra Pradesh, remains on the run.
In summary, Cyberabad’s law enforcement has dealt a significant blow to these illicit operations, yet key players are still on the loose, with ongoing efforts to bring them to justice.
