A major investigation into an international syndicate involved in betting on Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches has taken a dramatic turn. Two suspects have tested positive for narcotics, prompting police to add drug charges to the mounting case. The Khanna police cybercrime cell ordered dope tests for four local men arrested 10 days ago — Dinesh Chhabra, Karan Chhabra, Mahendra Singh, and Naresh Kumar — after observing suspicious behavior during their remand. Results have confirmed that Dinesh Chhabra and Mahendra Singh are addicted to drugs, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Darpan Ahluwalia.
Betting-for-Drugs Pipeline?
The discovery has shifted the investigation's focus toward a potential betting-for-drugs pipeline. Investigators are now tracing the source of the narcotics and determining if illicit gambling profits were laundered to fund drug peddling. Meanwhile, police have issued a lookout circular (LOC) for the alleged mastermind, Rajiv "Raju Sattewala" Anand. A notorious bookie with more than 15 prior cases — including a conviction under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act — Anand is believed to be operating the racket from Dubai. While ₹42 lakh of the alleged betting money has already been traced to the suspects' bank accounts, officials believe the true scale of the operation will only be revealed once Anand is extradited.
The Money Trail
Police are tightening the financial noose around the IPL betting syndicate as the investigation expands into organized crime. More than ₹42 lakh found in the suspects' bank accounts has been frozen pending further inquiry. Officers have confiscated ₹44,000 in cash, 11 mobile phones, and a laptop used for coordinating bets. Police are likely to involve the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to map the forward and backward linkages of the betting money and identify offshore destinations.
