Guwahati, April 27 (IANS) Five persons were arrested in Assam’s Cachar district for allegedly running an illegal betting racket linked to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), police said on Monday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team of Cachar Police launched an operation in Silchar town and first apprehended one suspect, identified as Samir Azij. During preliminary questioning, the accused allegedly revealed details about the wider network, following which police conducted follow-up raids and arrested four more persons.

The other accused have been identified as Saibul Hussain Laskar, Zahir Hussain Laskar, Rajat Kumar Singh and Aftab Laskar.

Police said the operation led to the seizure of cash amounting to Rs 80,230, seven Android mobile phones, one notebook containing betting-related calculations, and four separate sheets allegedly used to maintain records of IPL wagers.

Investigators suspect the mobile phones were being used to coordinate bets, communicate with punters and maintain digital transaction details linked to the gambling operation. The notebooks and handwritten sheets are also being examined as part of the probe.

All seized materials were taken into custody following due legal procedure. The accused were produced before a local court on Monday, police said.

A case has been registered at Silchar Police Station under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more persons were involved in the betting network.

Officials said efforts are also being made to trace possible financial links, online payment channels and contacts outside the district that may have been connected to the racket.

Illegal betting activities generally witness a spike during high-profile sporting tournaments such as the IPL, prompting law enforcement agencies across states to intensify surveillance and enforcement drives.

Police sources said action against organised gambling networks will continue in the district, particularly during the cricket season.

Authorities have appealed to citizens to report suspicious betting activities and avoid participation in illegal gambling, warning that such operations often involve financial fraud and other criminal activities.

The latest crackdown comes amid intensified policing measures in Assam against narcotics, cybercrime and unlawful betting syndicates operating through mobile applications and informal networks.

–IANS

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