MOHALI – In a significant blow to organized gambling networks, the Mohali Police have dismantled an expansive inter-state betting racket operating out of a hotel in the Balongi area. The operation, executed on April 15, led to the arrest of 16 individuals who were allegedly running a sophisticated online betting platform during ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
The Midnight Strike
The crackdown was initiated following a precise tip-off received by a patrolling team led by Sub-Inspector Jaswinder Singh. Acting under the direct supervision of DSP (Kharar-1) Karan Singh Sandhu and Balongi SHO Inspector Periwinkle Grewal, police units swarmed a hotel on the Balongi main road, catching the accused in the middle of active betting sessions.
The operation was conducted under the strategic guidance of SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans and SP (Rural) Manpreet Singh, as part of a district-wide intensified vigil against illegal gambling during the cricket season.
A Network Without Borders
Investigation into the backgrounds of the arrested men revealed a complex, multi-state operation. The syndicate’s reach extended far beyond Punjab, with members hailing from:
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North & Central India: Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
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West India: Maharashtra
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South India: Telangana
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Northeast India: Manipur
The accused allegedly lured victims through various online platforms, promising “quick returns” and “guaranteed wins” to entice them into high-stakes wagering.
Seizures and Evidence
During the search, the police recovered a cache of digital tools used to manage the illegal accounts:
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27 Mobile Phones: High-end devices used to coordinate with clients and access offshore betting servers.
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Cash Recovery: ₹15,600 in immediate liquid cash.
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Digital Ledgers: Preliminary scans of the devices have revealed extensive transaction records and contact lists that point toward a larger criminal hierarchy.
Legal Proceedings & Next Steps
The Balongi Police have registered a formal case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Public Gambling Act. The 16 arrested individuals—identified as Parminder Singh, Simranjit Singh, Maninderjit Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, and others from across the country—were produced before a local court and have been taken into police remand.
“This is not a localized operation; it is part of a larger, organized crime syndicate,” stated a senior police official. “Our cyber teams are now analyzing the recovered digital evidence to identify the kingpins who are operating this network from behind the scenes.”
Authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant against online betting apps and schemes, which are often used as fronts for financial fraud and money laundering. Further arrests are expected as the interrogation continues.
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