IN A major crackdown on illegal cricket betting during the ongoing IPL 2026, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Nagpur Rural police has booked three persons, including a notorious bookie Shiraj Khan, for running an online gambling racket linked to the Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings match. Acting on a tip-off, the LCB reached IUDP Colony,Ward No. 7, in Katol, where they found GauravVilasrao Burange (35) accepting bets using his mobile phone near his residence.

 

Police said Burange had created betting IDson his Android phone and was collectingmoney online from customers, placing betson the outcome of the IPL match for personal profit. During questioning, Burange revealedthat he was working under Vinay alias VinuRajeshwar Verma (37), a resident of KhajejaLayout, Katol. The police quickly trackeddown Verma and took him into custody. Further investigation exposed the involvement of Shiraj Khan alias Shirajbhai, a resident of Nagpur, who is known to police as a notorious cricket bookie. Officials said Khanwas allegedly operating the betting network and directing the activities of the other accused. Police seized two mobile phones worth Rs 68,000 from the accused in the presence of independent witnesses.

 

The devices reportedly contained betting IDs and transaction details linked to online gambling. A case has been registered at Katol Police Station against all three accused under Section 12(a) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act, 1976, and Section 49 of the Indian Penal Code. Police officials said further investigation is underway to trace more links in the betting network and identify other persons involved.