Briefing media persons about the arrest of the accused, Nizamabad Police Commissioner P Sai Chaitanya said that two betting syndicates operating illegally were dismantled in the district. Anyone promoting betting apps or indulging in betting that have financial implications on families would not be spared.

In the first case, the police nabbed four persons Shaik Mujeeb Ahmed (30), Shaik Nadeem (34), Shaik Junaid (26) and Shaik Rehan (23), all residents of Nizamabad. Four more persons – Shakeel, Shaik Najeeb and Ramesh, all residents of Nizamabad and Sachin of Nanded in Maharashtra were absconding.

Chaitanya explained that the arrested persons were operating the betting racket in an organized manner. Passwords and user ID would be given to those who evince interest in betting and with the help of agents the amount would be deposited into the account of betting organizer. The agent would get seven per cent commission. Shakeel and Sachin played a crucial role in the crime.

The racket was busted following a tip-off related to betting at Bharathi Rani Colony in the town. Five mobile phones, two bank passbooks, and a credit and debit card were recovered from the accused.

In the second case, the police arrested G Gautam (38), a financier, D Sunil (50), a real-estate businessman and J Ranjith (37), a hotel businessman. The trio were residents of Nizamabad. Five more persons -G Srikanth of Nizamabad, Vipul Singh of Haryana, and Bantu Palasa, Bablu Thakur and Vinay Thakur, all natives of Maharashtra were at large.

Chaitanya said Vipul, Bantu, Bablu and Vinay were operating the racket with the help of Srikanth, Gautam, Sunil and Ranjith. Sunil was found to be giving loans to the people with the profits earned in the betting at high interest by mortgaging their motorcycles. He was prompting them to indulge in cricket using apps.

The police seized 34 bikes, three mobile phones and Rs.6,000 in cash from the arrested persons.